Anyone putting together a platter for guests
You want to see which biscuits contain chocolate and work out in advance whether the quantity and variety of flavours will suit your guests.
Who are these biscuits for?
Anyone looking for a clearly defined chocolate coating
Chocolate chips in the dough aren’t the same as a layer around the biscuit. So you compare the coating description and, if given, the percentage of chocolate.
Anyone checking allergens for guests
Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. A product name containing ‘chocolate’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the biscuit contains.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need a clearly stated chocolate coating, a choice of flavours or clear ingredient information. Then check the packaging to confirm exactly which variant and quantity you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coating and flavour | Look for ‘coated’ or ‘partially coated’ and compare the chocolate percentage if it’s listed. | If I specifically want a visible layer of chocolate, chocolate chips in the dough aren’t enough. Around 40% of consumers prioritise a clearly stated coating. |
| Quantity and variety | Compare the number of biscuits and check whether the pack actually contains more than one chocolate flavour. | For a platter to share with guests, I want to know how many biscuits there are and whether there’s more than one flavour. Around 30% of consumers care most about sharing or variety. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to check the label before serving anything. Checking the current label is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking chocolate chips for a coating
A biscuit with chocolate chips isn’t necessarily coated in chocolate. For example, Jumbo describes LU Time Out Choco Chip as partially coated.
Read the product description carefully if a chocolate coating is essential for your platter.
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Assuming a mixed-flavour pack means every biscuit is fully coated
ALDI describes its Biscotto pack as butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate. The range of flavours alone doesn’t tell you how each biscuit is covered in chocolate.
Check the pack if you specifically want fully coated biscuits, rather than simply a choice of chocolate flavours.
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Relying only on the online description when checking for allergens
Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergy information may change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Before serving, check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the packaging you bought.
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Assuming a temporary shop range will always be available
Lidl features biscuits and cookies linked to in-store sales and promotional periods. This doesn’t guarantee that the variant you want will be available when you do your shopping.
Check the current range shortly before New Year’s Eve if you’re counting on a particular pack.
Brands and shops to consider
Lotus Biscoff
An option if you’re looking for speculoos with dark chocolate.
- For its The Original Speculoos with dark chocolate variant, Lotus Biscoff lists a pack of 7 x 3 biscuits and 22% chocolate.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variant; the details for this pack don’t necessarily apply to other Lotus Biscoff biscuits.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare individual chocolate biscuits by their product descriptions.
- Albert Heijn describes AH Choc chip coated melk as a biscuit coated in 35% milk chocolate, with an additional 5.2% dark chocolate chips.
- Albert Heijn notes that product, ingredient and allergy information may change, so check the current packaging too.
Jumbo
A shop where you can compare different types of chocolate biscuits.
- For LU Time Out Choco Chip, Jumbo describes the chocolate chips and the partial milk chocolate coating separately.
- Being listed in the chocolate biscuit category doesn’t tell you whether an individual biscuit is fully coated.
Biscotto bij ALDI
A pack to consider if you want a selection of chocolate flavours on one platter.
- ALDI describes Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as 20 butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate.
- Check the packaging to see how the individual biscuits are covered in chocolate.
Lidl
A shop where you can check the current range of biscuits and cookies.
- The range page distinguishes products available in store.
- For products linked to a promotional period, it’s worth checking the range again before you do your shopping.
Biscuits and related snacks on Joybuy
These products offer a range of options for a New Year’s Eve platter: biscuits, biscuit sticks and a chocolate wafer bar. If you specifically want biscuits, be sure to note the difference, and compare the pack size with the number of people you’re serving.
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LU Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits 150 g
For anyone who wants to add milk chocolate biscuits to their platter. Compare the 150 g pack with the amount you need for your guests.
Check the current pack for allergens before serving.
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LU Mikado biscuit sticks with milk chocolate 75 g
For a platter that suits small biscuit sticks. These are sticks rather than regular biscuits, and the pack contains 75 g.
If you have allergies, read the current packaging before serving.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate 10x12.5g
For anyone who wants pistachio as well as chocolate on their platter. The variant name lists 10 pieces of 12.5 g each; bear this distinctive flavour in mind when choosing for a group.
Check the full allergen information and any trace warnings on the current packaging.
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Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavour 47g IN
An option if biscuit sticks suit your platter better than traditional biscuits. The pack contains 47 g; check the packaging if the amount of chocolate matters to you.
Check the current allergen information before serving.
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Sarelle milk chocolate coated hazelnut wafer 33 g Turkish
For anyone considering a coated wafer bar too. This is a 33 g hazelnut wafer, not a biscuit, so think about whether it’s the right shape for your platter.
Read the allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Is every chocolate biscuit fully coated?
No. Jumbo describes LU Time Out Choco Chip as partially coated, while Albert Heijn describes AH Choc chip coated melk as a biscuit coated in 35% milk chocolate. Read the description of the variant you’re planning to buy.
Where can I check allergens if I’m serving guests?
Check the current packaging before serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label of prepacked foods; check any information about traces too.
Can I use the online ingredients information?
Yes, to compare products in advance, but check the packaging you buy. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change.
How should I store chocolate biscuits until New Year’s Eve?
Follow the storage advice for the product you choose. For AH Choc chip coated melk, Albert Heijn advises storing the biscuits in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening. Don’t assume the same advice applies to other biscuits.