Families planning a dessert table
The presentation will help you decide: large pancakes can be topped or rolled, while small pancakes are ideal for stacking on individual plates.
Who is this choice relevant for?
Families short on preparation time
If the children want to help but you’d rather not measure out lots of ingredients, a complete mix or shaker bottle is worth considering. Just check what you need to add to your chosen mix.
Families mindful of allergens and safe cooking
If a child or guest has a food allergy, the latest label should guide your choice. If the children are helping, you’ll also need to keep an eye on uncooked batter and the hot pan.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide which type of pancake will suit your dessert and how much preparation you’re happy to do. Also check the number of servings, the latest label and the cooking instructions for your chosen mix.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert presentation | Choose large, thin pancakes for toppings or rolling, or small American-style pancakes for stacking. Check what else you need to add to the mix. | If I want the children to decorate their own desserts, I’ll first choose a shape that works with our toppings. For around 42% of consumers, presentation is the deciding factor. |
| Preparation and servings | Compare what you need to add and how many pancakes the manufacturer says you’ll get from one packet or bottle. | If we want to cook together without measuring lots of ingredients, I need to know whether one pack will be enough for everyone. Keeping preparation to a minimum is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and safe cooking | Read the allergen information on the latest pack and follow the preparation and cooking instructions. | If a child or guest has a food allergy, I want to be able to check the ingredients in advance. While cooking, I’ll make sure the children don’t taste uncooked batter. For around 25% of consumers, allergens and helping safely are the main concerns. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming one type of mix is best for a special dessert
The presentation you’re after makes a difference: thin pancakes can be folded or rolled, while smaller American-style pancakes are ideal for a stack with toppings.
Decide what the children will make on their plates before choosing your toppings. A festive product name doesn’t, on its own, tell you what shape the cooked pancakes will be.
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Assuming a complete mix contains no milk or egg
Needing to add only water doesn’t tell you what’s already in the powder. The complete mixes described contain ingredients derived from wheat, milk and egg, among other things.
If anyone has a food allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, even if you’ve used the product before.
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Letting children taste uncooked batter
The Voedingscentrum warns that uncooked batter can contain harmful bacteria and that young children are particularly vulnerable.
Make it clear that tasting can only happen once the pancakes are fully cooked. An adult should handle the hot pan or supervise closely.
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Choosing a shaker bottle for a large group without counting portions
Koopmans says its Original Pancake Shaker Bottle makes around five pancakes, compared with 11 to 13 from a pack of Original Pancake Mix. That difference matters if every child is making their own dessert.
Count the number of people and portions you need before choosing a bottle or pack, and check the yield of the exact variety you’re buying.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of pancake mix. Compare the specific variety and the instructions on the pack, rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Koopmans
Offers an original mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle for different preparation methods.
- Koopmans says its Original Pancake Mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes; its Complete mix makes 8 to 10 pancakes when prepared with water.
- The original mix requires milk and eggs, among other ingredients. Check the yield, allergens and preparation instructions for each variety.
Dr. Oetker
American Pancakes Original is a good fit for a dessert made with stacks of small pancakes.
- Dr. Oetker describes pancakes measuring around 10 cm, making them ideal for individual dessert plates.
- The manufacturer lists milk, eggs, oil and a mixer as requirements for this mix. Read the allergen information on the latest pack.
PLUS
The complete own-brand mix is an option if you want to make the batter with water and add your own toppings to the cooked pancakes.
- PLUS says its Complete Pancake Mix requires 700 ml of water.
- The listed ingredients include ingredients derived from wheat, milk and egg. If anyone has an allergy, check the latest label.
Jumbo
The Complete Pancake Mix in a shaker bottle keeps preparation simple: just add water and shake.
- For its 200 g bottle, Jumbo says to add 400 ml of water and leave the batter to stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Jumbo says the prepared batter should be used straight away. The product contains wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients.
Belbake
The original pancake mix is an option if you want to use classic pancakes as the base for a dessert.
- Lidl Netherlands lists a 400 g pack as making around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens apply to this mix.
Pancake mixes for different baking occasions
These Joybuy products are suitable for a small baking session with a shaker bottle or for making larger pancakes that the children can top themselves. Choose according to the ingredients you need to add and the number of portions you want.
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Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix Shaker Bottle 210 g
For a small baking session when you want to keep measuring to a minimum. Koopmans says to add 350 ml of water to this complete shaker bottle. Check how many portions you need and read the latest label if anyone has allergies; the batter must be cooked before the children eat it.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For large pancakes the children can top, fold or roll. Koopmans says one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes, and you add milk, eggs and butter or oil. This takes more preparation than a complete mix; check the latest label if anyone has allergies.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix Shaker Bottle 175 g
For a small baking session when you want to mix the batter in the bottle. Koopmans says to add milk, and that the shaker bottle makes around five pancakes. Check whether that’s enough for everyone and read the latest label if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix is best for a party pancake dessert with children?
Choose small American-style pancakes if you want to make dessert stacks, or a classic thin pancake mix if the children want to add toppings, fold or roll their pancakes. If you’d like to measure fewer ingredients, consider a complete mix and check what else you need to add.
Can children taste uncooked pancake batter?
Don’t let children eat ordinary pancake batter until it has been fully cooked. The Voedingscentrum warns that uncooked batter can contain harmful bacteria and that young children are particularly vulnerable.
Is a mix that only needs water free from milk and egg?
No. The ingredients you need to add don’t tell you what’s already in the mix. The PLUS Complete mix described contains ingredients derived from milk and egg; check the ingredients and allergen information on the latest label for the variety you’re buying.
Can I keep prepared batter for later?
Follow the instructions for the specific mix. Jumbo says its Complete Pancake Mix in a shaker bottle should be used straight away once prepared; don’t assume the same applies to other products.