For organisers serving bread to guests
You can slice the sourdough shortly before serving and put out small quantities at a time. Keep extra bread aside so you don’t have to put everything out on the buffet at once.
Which serving option is right for you?
For organisers hosting a self-service buffet
You want guests to be able to help themselves quickly and keep the bread station tidy. A crisp base or individual portions of chocolate sprinkles can make serving easier; decide in advance who will replenish the supplies.
For organisers sharing allergen information with guests
You want to be able to provide up-to-date ingredient information for each type of bread and topping. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that professional suppliers of unpackaged food must make information about relevant allergens available.
What should you consider when choosing?
How you serve the bread determines how much preparation is needed. Then choose the right pack of chocolate sprinkles and record the allergen information for each item.
Fresh sourdough bread
Choose this if: you can slice the bread just before serving and replenish it during the buffet.
Bear in mind: this option takes some preparation around serving time; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bread can dry out when stored.
Rusks or another crisp base
Choose this if: guests will be helping themselves and you want to prepare individual portions in advance.
Bear in mind: this offers a different experience from fresh sourdough bread; try your chosen base with the chocolate sprinkles beforehand to see how it holds up.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Freshness and serving time | Agree when the bread will be collected or delivered, and whether you can slice it just before serving. | If I want to serve fresh bread, I want to avoid pre-sliced portions sitting out for too long. Freshness comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Check the current ingredients for the bread and chocolate sprinkles, and agree how information will be made available when serving unpackaged food. | When guests ask about ingredients, I want to be able to give them a reliable answer for each item. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour and presentation | Compare the type of bread with the product-specific description of the chocolate sprinkles; don’t rely on words such as artisan or pure alone. | I want the combination of bread and topping to suit the kind of bread service I have in mind. Around 21% of consumers prioritise flavour and presentation. |
| Supplies and portions | Check the pack weight, the number of portions if stated, and how guests will serve themselves the chocolate sprinkles. | When catering for lots of guests, I want to replenish supplies without opening more packs than necessary. Portion control is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Things to watch out for when planning
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Relying on the word ‘artisan’ alone
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that words such as artisan or natural reveal little on their own about the ingredients in a particular product. Sourdough bread can also be made from different grains.
Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g. If you’re buying loose bread, ask the baker for the product specification.
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Slicing all the sourdough in advance
Sliced bread that is left out for a long time can dry out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists dryness and a musty smell as signs to look out for in stored bread.
Put out smaller quantities and keep extra bread aside to replenish the buffet later.
Bread that dries out before guests get to eat it can mean more leftovers.
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Assuming pure chocolate sprinkles are allergen-free
A pure variety isn’t automatically free from milk or soya: the Albert Heijn product listing for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur names both as allergens.
Check the current packaging for each topping and use separate serving utensils. If a professional supplier is serving the food, agree with them how allergen information will be shared with guests.
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Comparing pack sizes alone
A large pack and individual portions call for different ways of serving. The weight of a pack doesn’t tell you how much you’ll need on the buffet at a time.
Plan how you’ll replenish the bread station and, for portion packs, check how many portions each pack contains.
Brands to compare
These brands offer a starting point when choosing chocolate sprinkles. Check the specific variety and packaging before putting your buffet together.
De Ruijter
Worth comparing if you’re looking for pure chocolate sprinkles or smaller portions for the bread station.
- Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, and that Kleintjes comes in eight portions.
- The product listing for Chocoladehagel Puur names milk and soya as allergens. Check the label of the variety you’re serving.
Venz
A brand to consider if you want to offer different types of chocolate sprinkles in small portions.
- Albert Heijn’s product listing for Venz Mini's describes an assortment with several varieties.
- Albert Heijn lists that particular product as discontinued. Check which varieties are available before planning your buffet.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option to consider if you want to serve chocolate sprinkles from a larger pack.
- Jumbo lists a 600 g pack of milk chocolate sprinkles.
- Check the label for your chosen variety and decide how guests will serve themselves from the pack.
Lidl / Mister Choc
An option to consider if you want to buy pure chocolate sprinkles in store.
- Lidl lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag puur as a product.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and weight before planning quantities for the buffet.
ALDI / Kiekeboe
An option to compare if you’re looking for pure chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack.
- ALDI lists Kiekeboe pure chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and confirm availability with the shop.
Chocolate sprinkles for the bread station
These Joybuy products are chocolate sprinkle options for a bread station. Choose the bread base separately: the topping won’t determine whether fresh sourdough or rusks are better suited to the way you’re serving.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
A topping to consider if you want to offer chocolate sprinkles at the bread station. The pack contains 390 g; check the current allergen information and choose the bread base separately.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A pure chocolate sprinkle variety to compare if you want to offer this flavour at the bread station. The pack contains 200 g; check the ingredients and allergens for this variety and choose the bread base separately.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
A pure chocolate sprinkle variety for anyone looking for a topping to serve with bread or rusks. The pack contains 390 g; check the current label for ingredients and allergens before preparing the buffet information.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough bread the same as rusks?
No. Sourdough refers to a raising agent used to make bread; rusks are a different, crisp way to serve it. For your buffet, first decide whether you want to serve fresh bread or prepare individual crisp portions.
How should I store sourdough bread before the wedding?
For opened wholemeal sourdough bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for two to four days, or in the freezer for one to three months. Time your purchase and defrosting to suit when you’ll be serving it; ideally, slice the bread shortly before serving.
Does allergen information need to be available at a wedding buffet?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that when a business such as a caterer serves unpackaged bread and chocolate sprinkle products, information about relevant allergens must be available. Written information is one option; verbal information may also be given under certain conditions. Agree with your supplier how guests will receive this information before making their choice.
Does all sourdough bread contain iodine because of baker’s salt?
No, that doesn’t follow from the Dutch rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the conditions for adding iodine to bread and other bakery products through baker’s salt, but this doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular sourdough loaf. Ask the baker about the ingredients if this matters to your choice.