Who are these choices relevant to?

People stocking the biscuit tin

You want to share biscuits over several coffee breaks. So, don’t just look at the total weight: check the packaging too, along with the storage advice for after opening.

Bakers looking for a speculaas-style flavour

You want to crumble chocolate biscuits or use them to decorate pepernoten or a dessert. Choose your biscuits to suit the recipe step and the flavour you’re after, rather than assuming they’ll work as a substitute for pepernoten.

People sharing out individual portions

You want to divide biscuits between people or occasions without opening the whole pack each time. In that case, the number of individual packs is just as important as the total weight.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the biscuits are mainly for a tin, to be handed out individually or to be used in a recipe. Whichever you choose, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Quantity and storage Compare the total weight with how quickly you’ll get through the biscuits, and check how to reseal the pack once opened. Follow the storage advice on the pack. If I’m filling the biscuit tin for several occasions, I want to be able to store the rest properly. Around 31% of consumers give this need for a stock-up the highest priority.
Individual portions Check the number of inner packs and the number of biscuits in each, as well as the total weight. When I’m sharing biscuits or taking them with me, I don’t want to open the whole pack each time. For around 23% of consumers, portioning is the main priority.
Flavour and recipe Check whether the recipe calls for crumbs, a topping or decoration, and whether the biscuit you’ve chosen is suitable. Don’t assume it will work in the dough. When baking pepernoten, I look for a biscuit that suits the recipe step and flavour I’m after. Around 23% of consumers are most concerned about getting the right match.
Allergens Read the current ingredients list and any warning about the possible presence of allergens on the pack you’ve chosen. If I’m sharing biscuits with others, I want to check that the ingredients are suitable for them first. For around 23% of consumers, this check is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a family pack is one large, resealable pack

    The same total weight could be split across individual bags or sold in one pack. That makes a difference if you’re filling a biscuit tin or handing out portions.

    Check the inner packaging, then check separately whether the pack itself is resealable.

  • Using any chocolate biscuit as an ingredient in pepernoten

    A biscuit that works for decoration or crumbling may not work as a substitute for an ingredient in the dough.

    First check what role the biscuit plays in your recipe, then choose a suitable shape and flavour.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    The name of a chocolate biscuit doesn’t tell you what other ingredients or warnings apply to the particular variety you’ve chosen.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before buying.

  • Assuming old online product information is definitive

    Albert Heijn says that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.

    Use online information to compare products, but also read the packaging of the product you’ve actually bought before using it.

Brands and shops to consider

Verkade

Verkade’s range includes various chocolate biscuits and other chocolate-coated biscuits, including Maria Choco Biscuit and Choco biscuit hazelnoot.

  • Useful if you want to compare different biscuit shapes and flavours from one brand.
  • Check the quantity, ingredients and allergens on each pack; the product name doesn’t tell you everything.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Speculoos met Chocolade is an option if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate biscuit with a speculaas-style flavour for a pepernoten recipe.

  • Lotus Bakeries lists this variety as a pack of 7 lots of 3 biscuits, which is useful if you want to use them in individual portions.
  • The flavour doesn’t automatically make this biscuit interchangeable with pepernoten in a recipe. Check the allergens on the pack too.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn stocks chocolate biscuits alongside other chocolate biscuits, so you can compare its own-brand products with other brands.

  • Compare the products you’re considering by packaging and ingredients.
  • Albert Heijn says product information can change, so check the label on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers examples of different types of packaging: belVita Plain Chocolade in individual packs and LU Prince Fourré Chocolade in a pack that Jumbo describes as resealable.

  • The product information makes it easier to compare total weight and portion sizes separately.
  • A resealable pack and individual portions suit different occasions, so check which format you need.

Lidl

Lidl also stocks chocolate biscuits, including a Double Chocolate Cookie.

  • An option to consider when comparing different biscuits in store.
  • Lidl directs shoppers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for food products. Read it before choosing a product.

ALDI / Biscotto

ALDI lists Biscotto Chocoladekoekjes, weighing 250 g and containing 20 biscuits packed in pairs, and Mini Biscuits, weighing 225 g and split into six packs.

  • These different pack formats are worth considering if you want to share out the biscuits.
  • Convenient portion sizes don’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable as an ingredient in pepernoten dough.

Chocolate biscuits on Joybuy

This product is a good fit if you want to share out chocolate biscuits or take them with you. If you’re mainly looking for a large supply for your biscuit tin or a biscuit for a specific step in a recipe, consider those needs separately.

Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g

Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits – 150 g

Worth considering if you want to share out chocolate biscuits or take them with you. Check how many portions are in the pack and whether this type of biscuit suits the step in your pepernoten recipe. Before using, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chocolate biscuits instead of pepernoten?

Not as a straight swap. Use them as crumbs, a topping or decoration if your recipe allows for it; don’t assume they can replace pepernoten in the dough. Lotus Bakeries also lists Biscoff as an ingredient for use in cooking, but that doesn’t mean it can be swapped into every recipe.

Is one large pack or several individual bags more convenient for a family?

A large pack works well for a biscuit tin if the quantity suits how quickly you’ll get through it and you can store it properly after opening. Individual bags are more convenient if you want to share the biscuits between people or occasions. For example, Jumbo describes LiGA belVita Plain Chocolade as 300 g split into six packs of four biscuits.

How should I store an opened pack of chocolate biscuits?

Follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve chosen. For Jumbo Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade, Jumbo recommends sealing the pack properly after opening and storing it in a dark place. The advice may differ for other products.

Where can I check the allergens in chocolate biscuits?

Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling of 14 allergens; check the information listed for the specific biscuit you’re buying.

Are online ingredients lists enough to help me choose?

Use them to compare products, but check the packaging for the current ingredients. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information, among other details, can change.