If you specifically want to serve sourdough
A rustic look is not enough if using sourdough starter is important to you. Ask about the recipe when ordering from a baker, or check the product information before placing your order for Flag Day.
Which option is right for you?
If you need to serve a group quickly
Sliced Dutch breakfast cake or individually wrapped portions mean less cutting and handing out. For example, Peijnenburg lists a pack containing ten individually wrapped slices of 28 g; choose enough packs for your group.
If you check ingredients and allergens
Compare wholemeal options, sugar-related claims and allergens for each product. Rye, wheat and possible traces of nuts are among the details to look out for in the Dutch breakfast cakes reviewed here, so check the information on the pack you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
For Flag Day, preparation is the main difference between the options: packaged Dutch breakfast cake is ready to serve, while homemade sourdough or an order from a baker requires more planning.
Packaged Dutch breakfast cake
Choose this if: you want to prepare portions for a group without any baking.
Bear in mind: the Peijnenburg and PLUS plain and wholemeal products reviewed here list raising agents; their product information does not confirm that sourdough starter is used.
Sourdough made to order or at home
Choose this if: using sourdough starter is your priority and you can discuss the recipe with the baker or have time to bake it yourself.
Bear in mind: Jumbo says that starting a new sourdough starter takes 3 to 6 days; you’ll also need to allow time to prepare the recipe you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed sourdough starter | Ask which starter was used and read the ingredients for the product you’ve chosen. | If I’m choosing sourdough specifically, I want to know that it really is part of the recipe. For around 37% of consumers, confirmation is the top priority. |
| Portions and ease of serving | Check whether the cake is sliced or individually wrapped, and how many portions you need. | When I’m serving a group, I want to hand out the Dutch breakfast cake without having to slice it on the spot. Being able to serve it straight away is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; consider wholemeal and sugar-related claims separately from sourdough. | If ingredients or allergens determine my choice, the packaging needs to meet my requirements. Around 18% of consumers make these checks their priority. |
| Availability in time | Check that your chosen variety or baker’s order will be available before your planned event. | With a date fixed in the diary, I don’t want to rely on an order that might arrive late. Having it available in time is the top priority for around 9% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking wholemeal or a sugar-related claim for sourdough
These terms describe different properties. Peijnenburg’s wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake contains wholemeal rye flour and also lists raising agents, so wholemeal does not confirm that sourdough starter has been used.
If you want sourdough, check the recipe or ask the baker specifically whether they use sourdough starter.
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Relying only on an online product description
The information on the packaging of the variety you choose can be particularly important if you have an allergy. Check which grains are listed and look out for any warnings about nuts.
Before eating, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you receive. For unwrapped Dutch breakfast cake, ask the baker for details.
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Starting a new sourdough starter just before the event
According to Jumbo, starting a sourdough culture can take 3 to 6 days. You’ll also need time to make the Dutch breakfast cake.
Plan your baking well ahead of Flag Day, arrange an order with a baker in good time or choose Dutch breakfast cake that’s ready to serve.
Baking at home also takes time to prepare and follow the recipe you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers plain, wholemeal and individually wrapped Dutch breakfast cake for different ways of serving.
- The plain pack containing ten slices of 28 g makes it easy to see how many individual portions you’ll get.
- The wholemeal variety described lists raising agents; check separately whether a product meets your sourdough requirements.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers Dutch breakfast cake in a range of flavours and formats, including sliced and unsliced options.
- You can choose a pack that suits your plans, whether you want to hand out portions in advance or slice the cake yourself.
- Check the ingredients and availability of your chosen variety separately.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI Netherlands describes sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake and a sliced Zero variety under this brand.
- The varieties described are pre-sliced, making them easier to serve.
- A nutritional claim does not confirm that sourdough starter is used; check the latest label for the variety you choose.
PLUS Korenlanders
PLUS describes a 500 g plain baker’s Dutch breakfast cake for anyone who wants to cut their own portions.
- The product information lists ingredients including rye flour and wheat flour, so you can check for these specifically.
- The raising agents listed do not confirm that sourdough starter is used; check the allergen information on the pack too.
Dutch breakfast cake on Joybuy
These packaged Dutch breakfast cakes are for anyone who wants to serve them around Flag Day without baking at home. If you specifically want sourdough, check the recipe or product information for the cake you choose.
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g'woon wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g
The sliced format is ideal for a gathering where you want to serve it without any cutting.
485 g pack. If you specifically want sourdough, check the ingredients. If you have allergies, read the information on the pack, particularly about rye.
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Snelle Jelle Dutch breakfast cake, Less Sugar-Free variety, 250 g
If you want to hand out individual portions of Dutch breakfast cake, check the pack format and number of pieces for this variety.
250 g pack. For the exact sugar-related claim, refer to the latest label. If you have allergies, check the information about rye and possible traces of nuts or milk.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake also sourdough?
No. Wholemeal describes the flour used; it does not confirm that sourdough starter has been used. Peijnenburg’s wholemeal variety contains wholemeal rye flour and lists raising agents. Check the recipe for the specific product if you want sourdough.
When should I start if I’m making my own sourdough starter?
Start well ahead of Flag Day: according to Jumbo, a new sourdough starter can be ready after 3 to 6 days. You’ll also need to allow time to make the Dutch breakfast cake using your chosen recipe.
How can I check allergens in Dutch breakfast cake from a baker?
Before buying, ask which allergens may be present in the unwrapped Dutch breakfast cake. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for unwrapped products must be made available to consumers in another accessible way. For packaged cake, read the label for the variety you’ve chosen.
Does all Dutch breakfast cake contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so based on the type of product alone. Check the ingredients of the Dutch breakfast cake you’ve chosen, or ask the baker which salt they used in the recipe.