Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers looking for less sugar

You want a product for St Nicholas Eve whose sugar content or claim, such as ‘less sugar’, you can assess. A festive name alone doesn’t give you that information.

Aniseed sprinkle fans

You’re looking for gestampte muisjes to sprinkle on crispbread or bread, or to use as a topping. This is a different type of product from a biscuit served as a snack.

Shoppers who prioritise ingredients

Before buying, you check the packaging for relevant allergens and, for biscuits with no sugars, for sweeteners and any accompanying warnings. A sugar claim doesn’t answer those questions.

What should you look for when choosing?

Gestampte muisjes

Choose these: if you’re looking for aniseed flavour and sprinkles for bread, crispbread or decoration.

The trade-off: According to Albert Heijn, the De Ruijter variety contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g; it is not an evidence-based lower-sugar choice.

Lower-sugar spiced cake

Choose this: if you’d like a spiced cake and the comparison behind its sugar claim suits your needs.

The trade-off: Jumbo says Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Minder Suiker contains 30% less sugar than the original version, but it still has 24 g of sugars per 100 g. Spiced cake is not an aniseed sprinkle.

Biscuits with no sugars

Choose these: if a biscuit labelled as containing no sugars better suits what you’re looking for than traditional aniseed flavour.

The trade-off: Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie, but it also contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Sugar content Check the sugars per 100 g and, for ‘less sugar’ claims, see what the product is being compared with. I want to understand what a sugar claim means for my choice before St Nicholas Eve. For around 40% of consumers, proven sugar reduction comes first.
Flavour and product type Decide whether you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles as a topping or biscuits to serve on their own. I mainly want the familiar aniseed flavour on crispbread or bread, not a biscuit that serves a different purpose. Around 30% of consumers put flavour and product type first.
Ingredients Check the current allergen information and any warnings relating to sweeteners. If I need to take allergens or sweeteners into account, I read the packaging before choosing. These ingredients are the most important factor for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating gestampte muisjes as a low-sugar biscuit

    Gestampte muisjes are aniseed sprinkles, not biscuits. Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.

    First decide whether you’re looking for a topping or a biscuit. Then compare the nutritional information of products that could serve the purpose you want.

  • Confusing ‘less sugar’ with ‘no sugars’

    Jumbo lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g for Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Minder Suiker. The claim compares this cake with Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek naturel; it doesn’t mean the cake contains no sugars.

    Alongside the claim, check what the product is compared with, its nutritional values per 100 g and its ingredients list.

  • Overlooking allergens when choosing a lower-sugar option

    Jumbo lists wheat in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Albert Heijn’s product information for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie mentions wheat, oats and other possible allergens.

    Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings relevant to your purchase.

  • Relying on a recipe title alone

    A Jumbo recipe titled ‘sugar-free speculaas’ lists 500 g of maple syrup in its ingredients. So the title alone doesn’t tell you everything that goes into the recipe.

    Read the full ingredients list and, if available, the nutritional information before choosing a recipe as an alternative.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Gestampte Muisjes are intended as aniseed sprinkles, for example on bread or crispbread.

  • Jumbo lists the pack reviewed as 270 g, with aniseed as an ingredient.
  • Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g; according to Jumbo, this variety also contains wheat.

Snelle Jelle

Spiced cake is a separate biscuit option for anyone who isn’t looking for aniseed sprinkles.

  • According to Jumbo, the Minder Suiker variety reviewed contains 30% less sugar than Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek naturel.
  • The same variety lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g and contains rye and gluten.

Céréal

The Chocolate Chip Cookie reviewed is a biscuit, not gestampte muisjes or spiced cake.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for this biscuit.
  • The product information mentions maltitols, a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, and allergen information that you should check on the current packaging.

A biscuit option at Joybuy

This biscuit is an option if you’d prefer a biscuit to aniseed sprinkles for St Nicholas Eve. Check the sugar information and ingredients on the packaging; this biscuit doesn’t serve the same purpose as gestampte muisjes.

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g pack

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g

For anyone looking for a biscuit rather than aniseed sprinkles. Before buying, check the packaging for sugars per 100 g, sweeteners, allergens and the flavour description.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes a lower-sugar choice?

Not based on the nutritional information listed for this variety: Albert Heijn gives 79 g of sugars per 100 g. Choose them if you want aniseed sprinkles, but if you’re watching your sugar intake, check the nutritional information for the product you’re considering.

Do De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contain wheat?

Yes, Jumbo lists wheat starch in this variety. If wheat or gluten is relevant to your choice, check the current packaging before buying.

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘no sugars’?

No. Jumbo compares Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Minder Suiker with the original variety and lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g. If a biscuit is labelled as containing no sugars, check its ingredients and any warnings about sweeteners too.

Can I rely on a recipe title such as ‘sugar-free speculaas’?

No, check the ingredients too. A Jumbo recipe with that title lists 500 g of maple syrup, so the title alone doesn’t show which ingredients the recipe contains.