Who might find a small bar handy?

Solo Christmas snackers

Want a single portion or a small piece to try, without cutting into a large spiced cake? An individually wrapped bar can be handy. Just check whether you’re buying one bar or a pack containing several.

Shoppers looking for less added sugar

A no-added-sugar option may suit your preference, but it doesn’t necessarily contain no sugars at all. Compare the nutritional values per portion and check the ingredients.

Shoppers who specifically need gluten-free

Choose a bar explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the other allergen information too. For example, the gluten-free spiced cake bar described by Albert Heijn contains milk and lupin.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, distinguish between a single bar sold on its own and bars that are individually wrapped but only available in a multipack. Then check the features that matter for your portion or Christmas dish.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important for?
Portion and packaging Check how many bars are included, the weight of each bar and whether they are individually wrapped. A multipack is not the same as a single bar sold on its own. I want to open a small portion at Christmas without cutting into a large cake. For around 37% of consumers, avoiding leftovers is the top priority.
Added sugars Check both the product description and the ‘of which sugars’ value per portion, as well as the ingredients list. If I’m looking for less added sugar, I want to know what’s actually in my bar. Around 27% of consumers put this question first.
Spiced flavour and how you’ll use it Check the ingredients for the spices you’re looking for. If you plan to crumble the bar or use it in a recipe, try a small amount first. For a Christmas sharing board or tasting portion, I mainly want a flavour that suits my dish. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers.
Gluten-free and allergens If needed, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. I need a bar labelled gluten-free and can’t overlook other allergens. For around 9% of consumers, gluten-free is the first selection criterion.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking an individually wrapped bar for a single item

    Peijnenburg says its Naturel 5-pack contains five individually wrapped bars. This means you can open one bar at a time, but you’re still buying a pack containing several bars.

    If you’re buying for one occasion, check both the number of items in the pack and whether they’re described as individually wrapped.

    With a multipack, you’ll have bars left over after that one occasion, which you’ll need to store.

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Peijnenburg’s nutritional information still lists 1.3 g of sugars per 27 g portion for its Naturel no-added-sugar option.

    Compare the nutritional values per portion and read the ingredients, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack alone.

  • Overlooking other allergens when a product is labelled ‘gluten-free’

    According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free spiced cake bar contains milk and lupin. So a gluten-free label doesn’t mean the bar is free from other allergens.

    When you buy it, check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging.

  • Leaving a bar containing xylitol where pets can reach it

    Snelle Jelle lists xylitol as an ingredient in Zero and warns that it is dangerous for dogs.

    Keep any bar containing xylitol out of reach of pets. If you think a pet may have eaten some, contact a vet straight away.

Brands to consider

The product ranges listed here mainly differ in portion size, ingredients and labelling. Always check the packaging of the option you choose.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers, among other options, a Naturel 5-pack of individually wrapped spiced cake bars and a no-added-sugar version.

  • According to Peijnenburg, the Naturel 5-pack contains five 32.5 g bars; a portion of the no-added-sugar version is 27 g.
  • The versions described contain rye. Also check the allergen information for the possible presence of milk, nuts and other gluten-containing cereals.

Snelle Jelle

Snelle Jelle makes spiced cake bars in several varieties, including Zero and Proteïne Naturel.

  • The manufacturer describes Zero as individually wrapped and lists ingredients including rye flour, chicory root fibre and xylitol.
  • Zero contains rye, and the manufacturer also warns that xylitol is dangerous for dogs. The Proteïne Naturel version described contains both rye and wheat.

AH

Albert Heijn lists both a Naturel 6-pack and a gluten-free-labelled spiced cake bar sold on its own.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the gluten-free bar is a single 65 g portion.
  • According to the product information, this gluten-free bar contains milk and lupin. Read the full allergen information if you need to avoid ingredients other than gluten too.

Goud Gebakken

ALDI lists Goud Gebakken cake bites in spiced cake and breakfast cake varieties.

  • According to ALDI, a pack contains six individually wrapped pieces.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information on the packaging for the version you choose.

Lidl huismerk-koekrepen

Lidl lists 6-packs of raisin spiced cake and lower-sugar breakfast cake bars.

  • The listed pack contains six bars, so you can plan to use them on more than one occasion.
  • Check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergens in the version you want to buy.

Spiced cake bars at Joybuy

This selection includes a spiced cake bar in a pack containing multiple portions. It’s suitable if you want to have one bar at a time or use a small amount for a taste, but not if you want to buy just one bar on its own.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Suitable if you want to take one bar from a multipack for a small snack or tasting portion; you’re not buying a single bar on its own.

The pack is labelled 250 g. If the sugar content is a deciding factor, check the current nutritional information: the product information also lists sugars.

Check the allergen information if you need a gluten-free product or if milk or nuts are relevant to you. If you want to use the bar in a Christmas recipe, try a small amount first.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a single spiced cake bar on its own?

Yes. Albert Heijn lists its gluten-free spiced cake bar as a single 65 g portion. For other bars, check the difference between a single item and bars that are individually wrapped within a multipack.

Is a regular spiced cake bar suitable if I need to choose gluten-free?

Don’t assume so: the regular Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle bars described contain rye. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergens on the current label too.

Does a no-added-sugar bar contain no sugars at all?

No. This label doesn’t mean the bar contains no sugars. Peijnenburg lists 1.3 g of sugars per 27 g portion for its Naturel no-added-sugar version, so compare the nutritional information per portion.

How should I store spiced cake I won’t use straight away?

According to Voedingscentrum, store spiced cake in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. Also follow the storage advice and use-by date on your product’s packaging.