Parents baking with a group of children
If every child is going to decorate or crumble a biscuit, the number of biscuits matters at least as much as the pack weight. Check both before deciding how many packs you’ll need.
Who are these biscuits for?
Families with a recipe that calls for speculoos
If you’re making a base or crumb layer that’s meant to have a speculoos flavour, don’t choose by pack size alone. Lotus Bakeries also describes Biscoff as an ingredient for use in cooking; work out how many biscuits your recipe needs.
Groups where allergens need to be considered
Before your baking session, ask which ingredients the children need to avoid. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises asking about allergies when doing activities with children; then check the allergen information on the pack you’ll actually be using.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll be handing out whole biscuits or measuring out an amount for a recipe. Then choose the type of biscuit and check that the ingredients are suitable for the children who’ll be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number and weight | Compare the number of biscuits with the number of children; use the weight if the recipe specifies an amount of crumbs. | If every child is getting a whole biscuit, I want to know whether there are enough to go round. Around 31% of consumers put having enough for the group first. |
| Allergens | Ask about any relevant allergies and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack; don’t rely on a label such as vegan alone. | If some children can’t eat everything, I need to be able to choose a suitable biscuit before baking. For around 25% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check which type of biscuit the recipe calls for, and try a different type in a small quantity first. | If I’m making a speculoos base, I don’t want to use a different type of biscuit without realising. The right flavour and texture come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Variety and sharing | Check which types or individual portions are in the pack, and whether the total number is right for the activity. | For an activity with different biscuits to decorate, I want to be able to share them out easily. Around 19% of consumers prioritise variety and sharing. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a heavy pack contains enough biscuits
Pack weight and the number of biscuits answer different questions. Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in a 250 g pack of Lotus Biscoff; ALDI lists around 22 biscuits in a 400 g pack of Biscotto oat biscuits.
Before you buy, work out how many whole biscuits you need or how many grams the recipe calls for.
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Using any type of biscuit as a substitute in a recipe
Speculoos, oat biscuits and chocolate biscuits differ in flavour and ingredients. So a larger pack isn’t necessarily a suitable substitute in a recipe that specifies a particular type of biscuit.
Follow the recipe’s guidance on the type of biscuit, or try an alternative in a small quantity first.
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Confusing a vegan label with being allergen-free
A vegan label doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from allergens. Jumbo’s product information lists wheat and soya in Lotus Biscoff.
Ask about allergies in advance and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re using.
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Assuming a product will always be in stock
A particular pack may not be available by the time you’ve made your baking plan and are ready to shop.
Check current availability at your chosen shop. If you choose an alternative, check again that the type of biscuit, quantity and ingredients are suitable.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different types of biscuits and pack sizes. Compare the specific product rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Lotus Biscoff
A speculoos range for anyone who wants to use this type of biscuit in a recipe. Lotus Bakeries also describes Biscoff as an ingredient for cooking.
- Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in the 250 g pack.
- Jumbo’s product information lists wheat and soya; check the current label if anyone in the group has allergies.
Biscotto
An ALDI own-brand range with various types of biscuits, including oat biscuits, jode or coffee biscuits, and chocolate biscuits.
- ALDI lists both pack weights and biscuit counts for these products, so you can compare the quantities you need.
- The different types of biscuit have different ingredients and aren’t necessarily interchangeable in a recipe.
Sondey
A Lidl own brand with a range of biscuits, cookies, wafers and bars, according to Lidl.
- The range offers different types of products to compare with the needs of your baking activity.
- Before choosing a specific pack for a group, check the type of biscuit, the number in the pack and the ingredients.
Biscuits for different baking plans
These Joybuy products include options for using speculoos in a baking recipe, buying a larger quantity of biscuits, or sharing biscuits out in smaller portions. If you’re serving whole biscuits, always check that the pack contains enough for your group.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 pcs, 200 g
An option if speculaas is right for your baking activity. The pack contains 200 g; check how many biscuits you’ll need for each child or for the recipe.
If anyone has allergies, ask about the ingredients and read the allergen information on the current pack.
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Parle G Biscuit Jumbo Family Pack, 799 g
A pack to consider if you mainly need a quantity of biscuits by weight for a group. It weighs 799 g; check how many biscuits it contains if each child is getting a whole one.
Compare the type of biscuit with the recipe, and check the current label for allergens.
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De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas, 450 g
An option for a baking plan that calls for speculaas and a recipe with a quantity specified by weight. The pack contains 450 g; count the biscuits on the pack if you want to hand them out individually.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before using it.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
An option if milk chocolate biscuits are suitable for decorating or sharing. The pack weighs 150 g; check the total number of biscuits before planning portions for the group.
If anyone has allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask about allergies before baking with children?
Yes. Ask in advance about any allergies or dietary restrictions that are relevant to the children, then read the current label on the biscuits you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises asking about allergies when doing activities with children; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that mandatory allergen information must be clearly shown on the label.
Are vegan biscuits suitable for people with food allergies?
Not automatically: vegan doesn’t mean allergen-free. For example, Jumbo lists wheat and soya in the product information for Lotus Biscoff. If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack rather than relying on the vegan label alone.
Should I choose biscuits by weight or by number?
Choose by number if every child will use a whole biscuit; choose by weight if the recipe calls for a measured quantity. Compare both if you’re handing out some biscuits and crumbling others.