Parents who want to hand out biscuits to each child
Pre-portioned bags make it easier to give each child biscuits during a baking session, or to put a bag aside for later. Check how many biscuits are actually in each bag.
Which pack is best for you?
Adults supervising a baking activity with several children
For a recipe you’re making together, the total quantity matters; when handing biscuits out, it’s the number of portions that counts. Decide in advance how you’ll use them, and supervise children during preparation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes cooking with children as an activity where some tasks are done together with an adult.
Shoppers who need to consider allergens
If allergens are a concern for anyone in the group, the packaging for the product variant you choose gives you the relevant ingredient and allergen information. Don’t rely on the shape of the biscuit or the allergen information for a different variant.
What should you look for?
First decide whether the biscuits are mainly for sharing or for a recipe. Then check the portion sizes and the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing portions | The number of bags and the number of biscuits in each bag. | If I want to give every child something while we’re baking, I look for portions I can hand out straight away. For around 42% of consumers, being able to hand them out easily would be the main priority. |
| Allergens | The ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the exact pack. | If there are allergens I need to consider for the group, I want to be able to check the label before the activity. For around 33% of consumers, this would be the top priority. |
| Quantity for the recipe | The number or weight of biscuits needed for the base, topping or other preparation, and the storage instructions after opening. | When I use biscuits as an ingredient, I want enough for the recipe I’ve planned without having to rely on individually portioned bags. Using biscuits in a recipe would be the main reason for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a children’s pack is a suitable choice for allergen concerns
Individual bags make it easier to hand out biscuits, but they don’t tell you anything about allergens. Product information for Hellema Smoeltjes lists wheat, milk and egg, and possible traces of peanuts and nuts.
Beforehand, ask which allergens you need to consider and read the label, including any warnings about possible traces, on the exact product variant you’re buying.
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Assuming a small portion is automatically a suitable everyday snack
A bag determines how the biscuits are packaged, not their place in your everyday diet. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks.
Distinguish between biscuits for a baking activity and something you want to pack for an ordinary school break.
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Relying only on ingredient information online
The information on a product page may not match the packaging you end up using. This is especially important when an ingredient or allergen affects your choice.
Read the physical packaging before use, and check the best-before date and storage instructions too.
Brands to compare
Lotus Biscoff
The speculoos range includes individual portions and larger pack sizes. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands also recommends Biscoff as an ingredient for cooking and baking.
- Jumbo lists an XL pack containing 10 bags, each with two biscuits.
- Wheat and soya are listed for the Original variant reviewed. Check the label again for any other variant.
Hellema Smoeltjes
Albert Heijn lists the mini speculaas biscuits in a 200 g pouch containing eight individual bags.
- The individual bags are handy for sharing during an activity.
- The product information lists wheat, milk and egg, and possible traces of peanuts and nuts; check the packaging you buy.
Biscotto
ALDI Netherlands features products under this brand including animal biscuits, as well as larger packs of sponge fingers and bakers’ speculaas.
- You can look for a pack that suits decorating, sharing or using in a recipe.
- Check the size, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of each product you’re considering.
Sondey
Lidl Netherlands describes Sondey as a brand offering a range of biscuits, wafers and bars.
- The range includes different types of products to consider for your planned activity.
- For an activity with children, don’t assume a particular multipack size or dietary feature without checking the label of the product in question.
Biscuits to share and take with you
These Joybuy products are suitable if you want to set biscuits aside or hand them out during a baking activity. Compare the number of individual portions with the number of children. For a recipe that uses a lot of biscuits at once, the total quantity you need is what matters most.
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Hellema Smoeltjes speculaas biscuits, 8 individual bags, 200 g
The individual bags are handy when each child is having their own portion.
The pack contains eight bags and weighs 200 g in total. If it matters for sharing, check how many biscuits are in each bag.
The product information lists wheat, milk and egg, and possible traces of peanuts and nuts. Read the label on the pack you buy before use.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 x 77 g
The 3 x 77 g format could work if you want to split the biscuits across several occasions.
Check how many individual biscuits are in the pack before planning portions for a group.
For allergen information, refer to the label on the pack you buy.
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LU Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g
This is an option to consider if you want to hand out small portions or set some aside.
The pack weighs 150 g. Check the number of individual portions to see if there’s enough for your group.
If allergens are a concern for your activity, read the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
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Oreo sandwich biscuits with raspberry and blueberry flavour, 97 g, 2 packs
The two individual packs are useful if you want to split the biscuits across two occasions.
The total weight is 97 g. If each child needs a measured portion, check how many biscuits are in each pack.
Read the allergen information and any warnings on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergen label before a baking activity with children?
Yes. If allergens are a concern for anyone in the group, read the label on the exact pack of biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be declared on prepacked foods; check for any warnings about possible traces too.
Are biscuits in small bags automatically suitable for every school break?
No. The bags mainly make it easier to share them out. For snacks for children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables. So don’t judge biscuits for a baking activity and something for an ordinary school break solely by the portion packaging.
Should I choose individual bags or a larger pack for a baking recipe?
For a recipe that calls for lots of biscuits to be crushed or mixed in at once, start with the total quantity the recipe requires. Individual bags are a better fit if each child is having biscuits while you bake, or if you want to set portions aside for later. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands also recommends Biscoff as an ingredient for cooking and baking.
Can online product information differ from what’s on the packaging?
Yes, ingredients and other product information can change. Use the online description to help you decide, then check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the pack you actually have before use.