Couples who want guests to create their own snack
A rusks-and-chocolate-sprinkles station gives guests a choice at the buffet. It only works if you also provide a suitable base, serving utensils and information about all the ingredients used.
Who is each serving option suitable for?
Organisers who want to hand out a thank-you gift
If guests need to be able to pick something up or take it away without having to serve it themselves, individually wrapped chocolates are a better choice than loose sprinkles. Check how many individual portions are in the pack you choose.
Organisers with guests who need to watch out for allergens
Check the exact products, as well as any bases and toppings. According to Albert Heijn, the De Ruijter Hagelfeest product researched contains milk, soya and wheat; other varieties may differ. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available for an unpackaged buffet provided by a business or caterer.
What should you consider when choosing?
Rusks with chocolate sprinkles
Choose this: if guests can put together their own breakfast or brunch bite and rusks or another base already fit into your buffet plan.
Bear in mind: loose sprinkles need serving utensils, and you’ll need to plan for crumbs and opened packs.
Individually wrapped chocolates
Choose this: if guests need to be able to pick something up or take it away straight away. For example, Albert Heijn describes its Merci Gift Box as containing 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
Bear in mind: with an assorted selection, check the ingredients and allergens listed for the exact box.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergen information | Read the packaging for each product, and check the rusks and any other toppings too. Decide how guests will be able to access the information at an unpackaged buffet. | If guests with food allergies are coming, I want to know what’s in every buffet item. This check is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ready to hand out | Check how many individual portions are in a pack and whether the contents are suitable to take away. | For a thank-you moment, I want to have something ready for guests to pick up without any extra preparation; this is the main need for around 22% of consumers. |
| Make your own | Choose a base and serving utensils, and find a spot where opened sprinkles can be kept dry. | I want a familiar breakfast or brunch item that guests can put together themselves. This buffet experience matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Portions and purchasing | Confirm the number of guests and planned portions, then compare the contents and weight of the packs you’re considering. | To avoid running short of buffet items at the last minute, I want to work out the portions I’ll need in advance. This planning is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a mixed box of chocolates is suitable for every guest
Different chocolates may have different ingredients. For allergen checks, the packaging on an assorted box is therefore more important than the general description ‘chocolate’.
Read the information on the exact box and arrange a separate, checked alternative for guests who can’t eat the selection.
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Buying only sprinkles for the buffet
Sprinkles are a topping, not a snack you can hand out on their own. Without rusks or another base, guests won’t be able to put together the planned buffet item.
Decide in advance which bases and portions you’ll serve, and keep the allergen information for all the components together.
Remember to allow time to set out serving utensils, napkins and product information too.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The Hagelfeest product described by Albert Heijn comes in a 390 g pack and contains chocolate sprinkles and vanilla-flavoured sprinkles. It is not the same variety as the De Ruijter products featured in the product cards below.
- A mix of two types of sprinkles for a buffet station.
- Albert Heijn lists milk, soya and wheat for Hagelfeest. Always check the label of other varieties.
Venz
The dark chocolate sprinkles researched are sold by Jumbo in a 400 g pack.
- A dark chocolate option to consider alongside other flavours.
- Jumbo lists milk and soya and states that the product may contain lactose. Check the pack you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells sprinkles under its own name, including a 600 g milk chocolate variety in the range overview researched.
- The pack weight helps you plan how much topping to buy.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and pack size for each product you choose; a range overview is no substitute for the label.
Kiekeboe
ALDI Netherlands describes a KIEKEBOE sprinkles mix with white and milk chocolate.
- The mix offers two types of chocolate in one sprinkles product.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose before serving.
Products for the buffet or to hand out
These products include sprinkles for a buffet station and individually served sweets. The biscuits and tubes are alternatives for a snack to hand out, not sprinkles or chocolates from an assorted box. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each product before serving.
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Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces
An option if you’d like to hand out chocolate bars instead of setting up a sprinkles station.
Pack of 9, weighing 104,4 g in total. Check whether the bars are individually wrapped, which allergens are listed on the current packaging and what the best-before date is.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast, 200 g
For a buffet where guests can top rusks or another base themselves.
200 g pack. Plan the bases and serving utensils separately, and check the allergens for this exact variety.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
A dark chocolate option for a buffet station with rusks or another base.
390 g pack. Check the label for this variety and arrange the bases and serving utensils separately.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
Chocolate biscuits to hand out as a separate buffet treat, not a substitute for sprinkles or an assorted box of chocolates.
150 g pack. Check the portion packaging and allergen information for the product you choose.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
Tubes to hand out to guests individually; this is not a sprinkles station or an assorted box of chocolates.
The pack contains 6 tubes of 34 g each. Check the current allergen information before setting them out.
Frequently asked questions
Does a caterer have to provide allergen information for an unpackaged wedding buffet?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses and caterers must inform consumers about allergens present in unpackaged foods. Before the buffet, agree how guests will be able to access information about everything on offer.
Can I serve a box of chocolates to guests with a nut allergy without checking it first?
No. The ingredients in an assorted selection can vary from one chocolate to another. Read the allergen information for the exact box and set aside a separate, checked alternative for guests who can’t eat the selection.
How should I store opened chocolate sprinkles near the buffet?
Seal the pack tightly and keep the sprinkles dry, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also check the label and best-before date on the pack you choose.