Gift-givers
You want to give something to one person or to your host. A recognisable gift box or an assortment is more important here than an everyday treat to put on the table.
Who is each treat for?
Families celebrating together
You’re looking for something suited to St Nicholas’ Eve that you can share with several people, such as chocolate letters, figures or individually portioned chocolates.
For casual get-togethers
You want to serve something with coffee or tea, or put out a treat for a games evening. Pre-sliced or individually wrapped Dutch breakfast cake makes it easy to share.
What should you consider?
First decide whether you’re buying a gift, a St Nicholas’ treat to share with several people, or something casual to enjoy with a cuppa. Then check the packaging and label of the product you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift appeal and choice of flavours | Check whether it’s a gift box or an assortment, and read the allergen information for the box you choose. | If I’m giving something to one person, the packaging needs to work as a gift and I want a choice of flavours. Around 42% of consumers prioritise gift appeal and flavour variety. |
| St Nicholas’ theme and sharing | Check the type of chocolate, the number of portions and current stock at the shop. | For an evening with several people, I want small treats that are easy to share and suit St Nicholas’ Eve. For around 33% of consumers, this themed occasion is the priority. |
| A treat with your cuppa and portion sizes | Check the portion size, individual packaging and ingredients of the Dutch breakfast cake. | For coffee or a games evening, I want to serve or hand out cake without having to slice it. A convenient treat to enjoy with a cuppa is the main reason for choosing it for around 25% of consumers. |
Pitfalls to avoid when choosing
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Judging an assortment box by its front alone
A box may contain chocolates made with different ingredients. The 385 g Celebrations box shown by PLUS lists milk, peanuts, soya, wheat, barley and egg, among other ingredients, and may contain nuts.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact box you’re buying, even if you already know the brand.
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Assuming Dutch breakfast cake is automatically a better choice
The individually wrapped Peijnenburg product shown by PLUS contains rye and may contain milk, nuts and other cereals containing gluten. The packaging format doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
Choose Dutch breakfast cake for the occasion you have in mind, and check the label of the specific variety.
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Assuming a seasonal product will always be available
What’s on offer for St Nicholas’ Eve changes. The ALDI St Nicholas’ page also features items that are out of stock.
Check current availability before planning to buy a particular chocolate letter, figure or sharing pack for the occasion.
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Assuming the product type tells you its iodine content
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt in baking isn’t compulsory. The mention of bakers’ salt in bread doesn’t allow you to draw a general conclusion about Dutch breakfast cake.
Don’t rely on an assumed iodine content when choosing between Dutch breakfast cake and chocolate. If it matters to your choice, check the information for the specific product.
Brands and shops to explore
Peijnenburg
Dutch breakfast cake for a casual treat, including individually wrapped portions.
- According to Peijnenburg, the plain 10-pack contains ten individually wrapped slices weighing 28 g each.
- Check the allergens for each variety. PLUS lists rye in the individually wrapped product, which may also contain milk and nuts, among other allergens.
Albert Heijn
Supermarket with a category for chocolate gifts.
- The category shown includes gift boxes from different brands and in a range of sizes.
- Check the individual box and current availability separately.
Jumbo
Supermarket offering chocolate gifts, St Nicholas’ products and Peijnenburg Dutch breakfast cake.
- You can explore gift boxes, themed treats and Dutch breakfast cake as different ways to shop.
- For seasonal products, check the current selection and the details of the variety you choose.
PLUS
Supermarket offering chocolate assortments and Peijnenburg individually wrapped portions, among other products.
- PLUS shows a 385 g Celebrations assortment box and an individually wrapped Peijnenburg product for two different occasions.
- Compare the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. The two types of product aren’t interchangeable for every recipient.
Lidl
Supermarket with seasonal St Nicholas’ sweets, including chocolate letters.
- A chocolate letter could be a good fit if the St Nicholas’ theme matters more to you than an assortment box.
- Check which varieties are available when you shop.
ALDI
Supermarket with a temporary St Nicholas’ range, including chocolate figures and sharing treats.
- The range of seasonal shapes gives you ideas for a themed treat.
- Check availability for the specific item; the St Nicholas’ page shown also includes products that are out of stock.
Chocolate for a gift or to share
These Joybuy products are chocolate packs for giving as a gift or sharing on St Nicholas’ Eve. If you’d rather serve Dutch breakfast cake, check its portion packaging and label separately.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A chocolate assortment to give as a gift or put out on the table. Joybuy lists the pack as 385 g; check the packaging for ingredients and allergens before sharing.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A gift pack for when you want to give someone chocolate. Joybuy lists the pack as 288 g; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information before giving it to someone.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection for a small gift. Joybuy lists the pack as 125 g; check the packaging if the number of chocolates, portion sizes or allergens matter to you.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing, rather than a formal gift. Joybuy lists the pack as 143 g; check the number of portions and allergens on the packaging you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergens in a chocolate gift box?
Yes, especially if the recipient has a food allergy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Check the information for the exact box you’re buying: ingredients in an assortment can vary between products.
When is Dutch breakfast cake a better choice than a chocolate gift box?
Dutch breakfast cake is a good choice when you want to put out a casual treat or send people home with individual portions. A chocolate gift box, on the other hand, can put the focus on the gesture of giving. For example, Peijnenburg makes a plain 10-pack with individually wrapped slices; remember to check the ingredients and allergens for that, too.
Can I tell how much iodine Dutch breakfast cake contains from the use of bakers’ salt?
No. The mention of bakers’ salt in bread doesn’t tell you the iodine content of Dutch breakfast cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that using bakers’ salt in baking isn’t compulsory. So check the product information for the specific cake rather than making assumptions about the category.