For a festive market treat, start by choosing a wholegrain rusk whose fibre content you can compare per 100 g. Then choose your chocolate sprinkles separately, based on flavour, sugars per 100 g, portion size and allergens: the wholegrain base doesn’t change the topping’s ingredients. If you’re serving a combination to several guests, check the labels on both products.
If you’re looking for a wholegrain base for a festive rusk, you can compare the fibre content of different rusks per 100 g. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo gives a range of values, from 7.7 to 11 g of fibre per 100 g, for the wholegrain varieties discussed here.
When serving a treat to several people, you can choose both the flavour and how much topping to put on each rusk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping that is high in sugars, saturated fat and calories.
Rusks and chocolate sprinkles each have their own ingredients and allergens. The products discussed here include ingredients such as wheat, egg, sesame, milk and soya. So check the packaging for the exact combination you plan to serve.
First, decide which rusk base suits your preference for fibre and texture. Then compare the chocolate sprinkles and think about how much you’d like to use on each rusk.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and fibre | Check the product description and compare the fibre content in g per 100 g of rusks. | If I mainly want a wholegrain base with a clear fibre content, colour alone doesn’t tell me enough. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Sugars and portion size | For chocolate sprinkles, compare the sugars per 100 g and consider how much you’ll use on each rusk. | For a sweet treat, I want to decide how much chocolate topping to add. Around 29% of consumers pay most attention to sugars and portion size. |
| Flavour and presentation | Look at the size and texture of the rusk, and at the individual flavours if you’re choosing a pack with assorted portions. | When I’m sharing, a choice of flavours or a rusk with seeds matters to me. For around 21% of consumers, presentation is the biggest consideration. |
| Allergens | Check the latest ingredients, allergen information and any warnings that an ingredient may be present on both products. | If I’m shopping for guests with an allergy, I want to be able to check the exact packaging. For around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
The word ‘plain’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a chocolate sprinkle product contains. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g for Venz Puur and 64 g per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the varieties you’re considering, rather than relying on the name on the packaging.
The stated fibre content varies between wholegrain varieties. The amount of chocolate sprinkles you use also affects what’s on each rusk.
Compare the fibre content per 100 g of rusks, then decide separately how much topping you’d like to use.
Seeds and grains affect not only the texture but also which allergens you need to check for in a particular variety. Chocolate sprinkles need their own ingredients check, too.
Before serving, check the allergen information for both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
The Bolletje products discussed here include a standard wholegrain rusk and a wholegrain variety with oat flakes and seeds.
The AH products discussed here include wholegrain rusks, organic wholegrain seeded rusks and reduced-sugar dark chocolate sprinkles.
Jumbo Beschuit Volkoren is an own-brand option to compare for fibre content and ingredients.
Venz Puur is an option discussed here for anyone who wants to top their rusk with dark chocolate sprinkles.
The varieties discussed here include dark chocolate sprinkles, extra-dark chocolate sprinkles and Kleintjes, with individually portioned flavours.
These products let you put the combination together yourself: two wholegrain rusk options for the base and one dark chocolate sprinkle option as a separate topping. Choose your rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, and check the labels on both packs for your guests.
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A wholegrain rusk base if you’d like to choose a darker variety for your festive market treat.
Pack of 10. Choose the chocolate sprinkles separately and, if you have allergies, check the latest label for ingredients including wheat, oats, barley and sesame.
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A wholegrain rusk base if you’d like to choose and portion the chocolate sprinkles yourself.
Pack of 13. Compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging and check the latest label for wheat, egg and any sesame warnings.
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A separate dark chocolate topping if you want to choose your own wholegrain rusk base and decide how much topping to use.
Pack of 200 g; rusks are not included. To compare, check the sugars per 100 g on the current label and review the allergen information, including for milk and soya.
You can’t assume this is true for every rusk. Check the ingredients list for the specific product to see whether baker’s salt is listed. If the ingredients are important to you, ask the manufacturer for more information.
Choosing wholegrain rusks changes the base, not the ingredients in the chocolate sprinkles. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include chocolate sprinkles in its Wheel of Five guidelines, so compare the nutritional information for both products and decide how much topping to use.
Check both products, as their ingredients vary by variety. The rusks discussed here list ingredients including wheat, and sometimes egg or sesame. The dark chocolate sprinkles discussed here list ingredients including milk and soya. Also read any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging.
Store rusks in a dry place in a tightly sealed container to keep them crisp. The chocolate sprinkle packs discussed here advise storing them in a cool, dry place. When serving, put out small amounts and seal the rest again.
Before selling, check the requirements set by the market organiser and the relevant local council for your type of stall. The Dutch government says that businesses handling food must work safely and hygienically. Any additional requirements will depend on the specific circumstances.
