Who might find this choice relevant?

If you’re keeping an eye on wholegrains and fibre

You’d like to serve spiced cake at your barbecue, so you’re comparing the proportion of wholemeal flour and the fibre per 100 g. If you want to compare products by portion, also check the slice size.

If you’re keeping an eye on added sugars

You’re looking for a wholemeal variety with no added sugars, but you also want to know which sugars and sweeteners, if any, are listed on the label. Check the warnings and allergens for the exact cake.

If you’re buying for a group

You want to serve the cake without having to slice it first. A pre-sliced pack makes this easier; the pack size, slice size and storage advice can all help you choose the right pack for your guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most to you when choosing a cake, then compare the nutritional information and packaging of the exact variety.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important to?
Wholegrains and fibre Check which wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g. To compare slices, use the serving size given for the product in question. If wholegrains and fibre are my main priorities, I don’t want to judge by the cake’s name alone. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Sugars and sweeteners Compare sugars per 100 g. For a variety with no added sugars, also check the ingredients and any warnings about polyols. I want to distinguish a variety with no added sugars from a regular wholemeal cake without overlooking the sweeteners. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this.
Portions and ease of sharing Check whether the cake is pre-sliced, how much the pack contains and what storage advice applies once it’s opened. When buying for a group, I want to be able to serve slices straight away without having lots of opened cake left over. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Availability Before you shop, check whether the variety you want is available at your chosen retailer. I want to be able to buy my chosen cake where I do my barbecue shopping. This matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal automatically means low in sugars

    Peijnenburg’s regular wholemeal spiced cake lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g. For the wholemeal variety with no added sugars included in this comparison, Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g per 100 g. These are different varieties with different ingredients.

    Compare the sugars and fibre figures in the nutrition table on the cake you’re actually buying.

  • Serving a variety with no added sugars without reading the label

    The Peijnenburg variety included in this comparison contains xylitol. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and states that xylitol is unsuitable for animals.

    Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety, and keep any cake containing xylitol out of pets’ reach.

  • Forgetting about allergens when guests help themselves

    The spiced cakes included in this comparison don’t all have the same allergen information. Jumbo lists rye and wheat, among other ingredients, for its wholemeal spiced cake; other varieties also mention the possible presence of additional ingredients.

    Ask guests about allergies in advance and keep the current packaging to hand so they can check the ingredients and allergens for themselves.

  • Choosing a pack without thinking about leftovers

    The Jumbo pack included in this comparison contains 280 g, while the AH, PLUS and Koek & Bakker packs included here contain 485 g. Pack size alone doesn’t tell you how many slices your guests will eat.

    Choose a pack size to suit the number of people you expect, and follow the storage advice on the packaging for any leftover cake.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers both a regular pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake and a wholemeal variety with no added sugars, included in this comparison.

  • For its variety with no added sugars, Peijnenburg lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g; its regular wholemeal variety lists 5.1 g of fibre and 39 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The variety with no added sugars contains xylitol and may contain nuts and milk. Compare the exact packaging.

AH

The pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake from AH included in this comparison comes in a 485 g pack.

  • For this variety, AH lists 41% wholemeal rye flour and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product contains rye and gluten. If you have an allergy, check the full information on the current packaging.

Jumbo

The Jumbo Wholemeal Spiced Cake included in this comparison comes in a 280 g pack, making it a good option if you’re looking for a smaller size.

  • For this cake, Jumbo lists around 11 servings and 8.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information lists 35.5 g of sugars per 100 g and names gluten, rye and wheat as allergens.

PLUS

The wholemeal spiced cake from PLUS included in this comparison is pre-sliced and comes in a 485 g pack.

  • For this variety, PLUS lists 41% wholemeal rye flour and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • PLUS lists 34.1 g of sugars per 100 g. When buying, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

Koek & Bakker

ALDI describes the 485 g Koek & Bakker wholemeal spiced cake included in this comparison as pre-sliced.

  • The pre-sliced format means you can serve slices without having to cut the cake yourself.
  • If you’re choosing based on fibre, sugars or allergens, check the nutrition information and ingredients on the packaging.

Wholemeal spiced cake at Joybuy

This pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake is handy for serving as a sweet addition to your barbecue. When choosing, also compare the nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.

g'woon pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake, 485 g

g'woon pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake, 485 g

This pre-sliced cake is made for sharing at a barbecue.

Pack size: 485 g. Compare the sugars and fibre on the current packaging, and check the allergen information before serving the cake to guests with allergies.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal spiced cake automatically low in sugars?

No. ‘Wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a spiced cake contains. For its regular wholemeal variety included in this comparison, Peijnenburg lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g; its variety with no added sugars contains 4.9 g per 100 g and includes xylitol. Compare the nutrition table and ingredients for the exact variety.

Can I serve wholemeal spiced cake to guests with a gluten or rye allergy?

If a guest has an allergy, don’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’ when choosing a cake. The Jumbo variety included in this comparison lists gluten, rye and wheat; rye is also relevant for the AH and PLUS varieties included here. Ask guests to check the allergens on the current packaging before you serve the cake.

When should I check for xylitol in spiced cake?

Check for xylitol if it’s listed in the ingredients of your chosen variety. The Peijnenburg wholemeal variety with no added sugars included in this comparison contains xylitol. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and states that xylitol is unsuitable for animals. Keep this cake out of pets’ reach.

How can I check whether a spiced cake contains baker’s salt?

If baker’s salt or iodine matters to you, check the ingredients of the specific spiced cake or ask the manufacturer. Don’t rely on the product category alone to tell you what’s in an individual pack.