If you’re filling a buffet platter
You’re looking for chocolate biscuits to serve with coffee or dessert. The number of biscuits and the weight can help you work out how much to buy; gift packaging isn’t your main priority.
Which option is right for you?
If you’re taking an edible gift
You want to be able to hand over your purchase as a sealed gift. A chocolate gift box serves a different purpose from individual biscuits for the buffet table.
If you need to consider allergens
If a guest or recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the exact pack you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve your purchase, give it as a gift or use it for both. Then compare the contents of each pack and check the label and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| How much you need for the buffet | Compare the number of biscuits and the net weight. Check whether the pack is easy to divide between the platters you have planned. | If I’m putting something out with coffee or dessert for several guests, I want to know how much I can serve. For around 40% of consumers, ease of serving comes first. |
| Presentation as a gift | Check whether it’s a sealed gift pack and what’s inside. | If I’m taking something for the host or family, I want to be able to hand it over as a gift. For around 30% of consumers, suitability as a gift is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, the allergens listed and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack you’re buying. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Checking the ingredients is the most important buying consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Shelf life and storage | Check the best-before date, the condition of the packaging and the storage instructions. | If I’m buying well ahead of Boxing Day, I want to be able to store the pack according to the label until it’s time for the buffet. This matters most to around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a gift box will automatically be enough for the buffet
A box that makes a lovely gift may not contain the quantity you need, or come in the right format for serving several guests.
Decide whether you mainly want to put your purchase out on the table or hand it over as a gift. If both matter, compare a pack of biscuits and a sealed gift box separately.
-
Choosing based only on the flavour or the front of the pack
Ingredients vary from one product to another. For Choco Wolken 3x35 g, Verkade lists milk, wheat, hazelnut and soya, among other ingredients, and notes that it may contain peanuts, almonds and egg. This information doesn’t automatically apply to other Verkade products.
If you’re catering for allergies, check the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack you’re actually serving or giving as a gift.
-
Assuming a range you’ve seen before will be available at Christmas
A product listing doesn’t necessarily tell you which items will be available around Boxing Day. Lidl lists its Double chocolate cookie as an in-store product available during a specific promotional period.
Check the current range shortly before you shop, and have another suitable type of product in mind.
-
Opening a pack early without checking the storage instructions
According to the Voedingscentrum, the best-before date indicates how long a product will retain its intended quality. The storage instructions on the pack are also important.
Check the date and the condition of the packaging, follow the storage instructions and, where possible, wait until you’re ready to serve before opening products.
Brands and shops to explore
Verkade
Verkade describes Choco Wolken 3x35 g as cocoa biscuits with a cream filling, coated in milk chocolate.
- An example of biscuits and chocolate combined in one product to serve on a platter.
- This variety lists several allergens and may contain peanuts, almonds and egg. Check the label on the variety you choose.
Lotus
Lotus Bakeries lists Lotus Speculoos met chocolade in a pack of 7 x 3 biscuits.
- A good choice if you specifically want to serve speculoos biscuits with chocolate.
- The listed variety contains wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s chocolate gifts category includes assorted selections and gift boxes.
- These types of packaging are worth considering when you’re buying a gift.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the pack you buy, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s chocolate biscuits category features several types of products, including biscuits, cookies and wafers.
- The number of items and the weight can help you compare packs for a platter.
- A wafer, cookie and biscuit aren’t the same type of product; compare the contents and ingredients of each variety.
Lidl
Lidl lists a Double chocolate cookie with dark and white chocolate pieces as an in-store product.
- An example of a cookie with two types of chocolate pieces.
- Check current availability before you shop, and read the pack for ingredients and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI describes a Biscotto pack containing 20 chocolate biscuits, with a net weight of 250 g.
- According to ALDI, this variety contains biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate.
- The product listing doesn’t confirm whether this pack will be available in your shop around Boxing Day.
Products for the buffet table or as a gift
This selection includes chocolate biscuits to serve on a platter, a wafer variety and a mixed chocolate assortment that could also make a thoughtful gift. Compare what’s in each pack with what you want to serve or give.
Image unavailable
Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
Chocolate biscuits to serve with coffee or tea. If you’re planning for a group, check how many biscuits are in the pack. If you’re catering for allergies, read the label on the pack you buy.
Image unavailable
Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10x12.5g
A wafer option if you’d like to serve something different alongside chocolate biscuits. The pack contains 10 portions of 12.5 g; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Image unavailable
quduoduo Chunky Cookies Dark Chocolate Flavour, 72 g
A small pack of chocolate biscuits to serve with coffee or dessert. The net weight is 72 g; check how many biscuits are in the pack before working out how much you’ll need for a group.
Image unavailable
Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g
An oat biscuit variety with milk chocolate for the buffet table. The pack contains 150 g; check the label for dietary suitability and allergens, and see how many biscuits are inside if you’re planning portions.
Image unavailable
Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A mixed chocolate assortment to put out or give as an edible gift, but not a substitute for chocolate biscuits if those are what you want on the table. The pack contains 385 g; check the number of items and the allergens on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check for allergens when buying chocolate biscuits for a group?
Yes, especially if someone in the group has a food allergy or you’re not sure which ingredients your guests need to avoid. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label, so check the ingredients and any warnings on the pack you’re actually serving.
Can I tell from the name whether chocolate biscuits are suitable for a particular diet?
No, the product name alone isn’t enough to tell you. The Verkade Choco Wolken and Lotus Speculoos met chocolade varieties described here list wheat and milk, among other ingredients. Check the ingredients and relevant dietary information on each pack you’re considering.
Can I buy chocolate and biscuits well ahead of Boxing Day?
You can decide by checking the product’s best-before date, the condition of the packaging and its storage instructions. According to the Voedingscentrum, the date indicates how long the product will retain its intended quality. Also follow the storage instructions and any guidance on using the product after opening.