Breakfast fans who want chocolate sprinkles on rusks
You’re looking for a chocolate topping for weekend breakfast or brunch. In that case, the type of sprinkles, the cocoa flavour and the pack size matter more than whether it’s presented as a gift.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Households looking to weigh up sweet toppings
You want to serve chocolate sprinkles, but also take portion size, nutritional information and a wholegrain rusk base into account.
Visitors looking to give chocolate
You’re looking for a thank-you gift or something to share. Individually wrapped chocolates suit that purpose, but they’re no substitute for a topping to put on rusks.
What should you consider when choosing?
Rusks with chocolate sprinkles
Choose this if: you want to serve chocolate sprinkles on rusks at breakfast or brunch.
Bear in mind: chocolate sprinkles are still a sweet topping; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the sugar and saturated fat in chocolate toppings.
Chocolate box
Choose this if: you’re mainly looking for a chocolate gift or treat to share.
Bear in mind: individual chocolates aren’t a sprinkle-on topping for rusks.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and use as a topping | Check whether the product is chocolate sprinkles for rusks, and compare the stated cocoa content and pack size. | If I’m putting rusks on the table, I want to choose sprinkles that suit the chocolate flavour I’m after. Around 40% of consumers give this breakfast topping top priority. |
| Portion and rusk base | Compare sugars and saturated fats on the same nutritional basis; also check whether the rusks are wholegrain. | I want to be able to weigh up the amount of sweet topping against the rest of my breakfast. Around 30% of consumers put this consideration first. |
| Gifting and sharing | Check whether the chocolates are individually wrapped, and read the allergen information before sharing them. | For a thank-you gift, I’m looking for chocolate I can give or share with others, not something to sprinkle on rusks. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking a chocolate box can replace chocolate sprinkles
A box of chocolates can be a good choice for a visit or as a thank-you gift, but it won’t give you a sprinkle-on topping for rusks.
Before you buy, decide whether you need a breakfast topping, rusks or a gift.
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Relying only on ‘dark’ or a sugar claim
A stated cocoa content doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat you’ll get in a portion. What’s more, a claim about less sugar applies to the specific comparison made for that product.
Compare the latest nutritional information per 100 g, and bear the amount you use in mind when serving.
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Forgetting to check allergens when sharing
The ingredients and possible traces vary between chocolate sprinkles, rusks and chocolate boxes. What’s suitable for one guest may not be suitable for another.
Read the allergen information on each individual pack before buying and serving.
Relevant brands to compare
De Ruijter
A relevant choice if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for breakfast and want to compare specific dark varieties.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product listings, Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Royaal Extra Puur states at least 43%. These percentages apply to those specific varieties.
- Check the label of the variety you choose for ingredients and allergens, including milk and soya.
Venz
A relevant choice if you want to compare the nutritional information for a specific milk chocolate sprinkle product.
- One variety described by Albert Heijn carries a claim about having less sugar than Venz Chocoladehagelslag puur.
- For the variety you actually buy, compare the nutritional values and the comparison stated on the label.
Bolletje
A relevant choice for the rusk base if you’re looking for wholegrain rusks.
- Bolletje wholegrain rusks are sold as a wholegrain breakfast product; choosing a topping is a separate decision.
- Check the pack for allergens such as wheat and egg, and for possible traces of sesame if these are relevant to your guests.
Merci
A relevant choice for a chocolate gift alongside weekend breakfast, not as a replacement for chocolate sprinkles.
- The gift box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
- Read the allergen information before sharing; the box reviewed lists milk, nuts and soya, among other allergens.
Products for breakfast and gifting
The chocolate sprinkles are intended as a topping for a separately chosen rusk base; the wholegrain rusks provide that base. The chocolate gift box is suited to gifting or sharing alongside breakfast.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
For anyone who wants to serve dark chocolate sprinkles on rusks; choose your rusks separately. Check the latest packaging for milk, soya and any other possible allergens.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles as a breakfast topping in a 390 g pack. Rusks are a separate choice; compare the nutritional information and check the label for allergens.
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Bolletje wholegrain rusks, 13 pieces
A wholegrain base for weekend breakfast; choose chocolate sprinkles or another topping separately. Before choosing, check the fibre value and its stated measurement basis, the allergens and, if it matters to you, whether the pack states that baker’s salt is used.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping in a 400 g pack. Choose your rusks separately and check the latest packaging for nutritional information and allergens.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for giving or sharing alongside breakfast, not for use as a topping on rusks. Check the latest packaging for allergens before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chocolate box replace chocolate sprinkles on rusks?
Not if you want to top rusks: chocolate sprinkles are a scatterable bread topping, while a chocolate box is intended for giving or sharing. You can serve both on the same occasion, but they serve different purposes.
Should rusks or chocolate sprinkles contain iodine from baker’s salt?
Don’t assume that chocolate sprinkles contain iodine from baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights bread baked with baker’s salt as something to consider for children’s iodine intake. If you want to know whether a particular type of rusk is made with baker’s salt, check the label or ask the manufacturer.
What should I consider if I use chocolate sprinkles at breakfast more often?
Keep an eye on how much topping you use and compare the nutritional information for your chosen variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include chocolate sprinkles in the Wheel of Five because of their sugar and saturated fat content; choosing a wholegrain rusk base doesn’t change the composition of the sprinkles themselves.
Which allergens should I check when sharing chocolate with guests?
Check the latest packaging for each individual product. The De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles described list milk and soya; for the Merci gift box described, milk, nuts and soya are among the relevant allergens. You should also check the allergen information for your chosen rusks separately.