Who is this choice relevant to?

Quick bakers and decorators

You want to use chocolate-coated kruidnoten straight away as a topping, in a bake or on a sharing platter, without baking and dipping them yourself first.

Shoppers checking for allergens

You want to check the ingredients and warnings on the pack of the exact chocolate-coated kruidnoten you’re buying before using them.

Anyone looking for a variety of flavours

You’re looking for a mix of milk, white and dark chocolate, or a particular flavour for a festive platter or gift.

What should you look for when choosing?

Ready-made chocolate-coated kruidnoten

Choose these if: you want to use them straight away as a topping or treat.

The trade-off: the type of kruidnoten and chocolate coating are fixed for each product.

Bake and coat them yourself

Choose this option if: you want to select the base, chocolate and finish yourself.

The trade-off: baking, cooling, dipping and allowing the chocolate to set all take extra time.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Ingredients and allergens Read the label for the exact variety, including warnings about possible cross-contamination. If I’m buying kruidnoten for someone with a food allergy, I need to know what’s in this particular pack. For around 36% of consumers, checking the label comes first.
Type of chocolate and flavour Check whether the pack contains milk, white or dark chocolate, or a combination. If I’m putting together a platter with different flavours, I want a mix. For a recipe, one type of chocolate may suit my plans better. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this choice of flavour.
Quantity and intended use Match the net weight to the amount you need for a topping, filling or treats to share. I want enough to share, but I don’t want to buy more than I need for a single bake. The amount needed is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Convenience or making your own Decide whether you want to decorate straight away or set aside time for baking, cooling and dipping. If I want to choose the kruidnoten and chocolate coating myself, I don’t mind the extra preparation; otherwise, I’ll go for ready-made. For around 14% of consumers, this is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every variety has the same allergens

    The mixes from Albert Heijn and Jumbo covered in this article list ingredients including wheat or cereals containing gluten, milk and soya. Ingredients and warnings about possible traces can vary between products.

    Check the current label for the flavour and pack you’re buying, even if you’ve used a similar mix before.

  • Looking only at the size of the bag

    One portion for a topping won’t necessarily be enough for several recipes or a sharing occasion. The packs described from Van Delft, Jumbo and Albert Heijn have different net weights.

    First work out how many kruidnoten you need for your bake or treats, then compare the net weights.

  • Thinking dipping them yourself is a quick option

    Homemade chocolate-coated kruidnoten aren’t ready as soon as they come out of the oven: in Albert Heijn’s recipe, they need to cool before you dip them in chocolate, and then the coating needs time to set.

    Choose ready-made if you want to decorate straight away. Make them yourself if choosing the base and finish is worth the extra steps for you.

  • Treating a speculoos biscuit as the same type of kruidnoten

    Lotus Biscoff can be used as an ingredient or a crumb topping, but it isn’t a chocolate-coated kruidnoot.

    Use it only if that different type of biscuit works in your recipe. Choose chocolate-coated kruidnoten when you specifically need spiced, chocolate-coated kruidnoten.

Relevant brands and retailers

Albert Heijn

A relevant choice for ready-made chocolate-coated kruidnoten and recipes for making your own.

  • The AH mix described combines kruidnoten with milk, white and dark chocolate; Albert Heijn also lists a 750 g pack.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy, as product information can change.

Jumbo

A relevant choice for a ready-made 300 g chocolate-coated kruidnoten mix.

  • The mix described contains kruidnoten with milk, white and dark chocolate.
  • If you’re avoiding allergens, also read the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the pack.

Van Delft

A relevant choice if you’re looking for a smaller pack with several types of chocolate for a platter or gift.

  • Van Delft describes its 225 g Luxe Chocolade Kruidnoten as a mix with milk, dark and white chocolate, containing 51% chocolate.
  • Check the exact variety for ingredients, allergens and quantity; the product name alone won’t tell you whether the flavour suits you.

Bolletje

A relevant choice for mixed chocolate-coated kruidnoten and other flavour varieties.

  • Bolletje describes a mixed variety with milk, white and dark chocolate.
  • The mixed variety described lists cereals containing gluten, wheat, soya and milk; check the information again if you choose another flavour.

Lotus Biscoff

A speculoos biscuit that can be used as an ingredient alongside kruidnoten, but isn’t the same type of product as chocolate-coated kruidnoten.

  • Lotus also recommends Biscoff as an ingredient for cooking and baking.
  • Don’t choose it if your recipe specifically calls for chocolate-coated kruidnoten.

Joybuy products for this baking project

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate-coated kruidnoten the same as chocolate-coated pepernoten?

For this baking project, we mean kruidnoten with a chocolate coating, even if a recipe calls them chocolate pepernoten. Check the product name and ingredients if the shape and coating matter for your recipe.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate-coated kruidnoten?

Check the label on the specific pack for all allergens that are relevant to you. The mixes described from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list ingredients including milk, soya and wheat or cereals containing gluten; warnings about possible traces can vary. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.

What does a warning such as ‘may contain nuts’ mean?

This type of warning indicates possible cross-contamination and is different from nuts being an ingredient. Read the warning on the exact pack if nuts are relevant to your choice; don’t assume the same information applies to a different flavour.

How do I make chocolate-coated kruidnoten?

Bake the kruidnoten first and let them cool completely before coating them in chocolate. In Albert Heijn’s recipe, the cooled kruidnoten are dipped in melted chocolate and placed on baking paper until the coating has set. Check the ingredients you use yourself if allergens are a concern.