Bakers choosing their own dark chocolate ingredient
You want to check the cocoa percentage and are considering using a dark chocolate bar in your own recipe. A bar is an ingredient, not a ready-made currant bun or spiced biscuit.
Who are these options relevant to?
Shoppers buying ready-made chocolate-covered spiced biscuits
You don’t want to bake and are looking for a spiced biscuit coated in dark chocolate. It matters whether they all have the same chocolate coating or whether the pack also includes milk and white chocolate.
Shoppers who compare labels carefully
You want to check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings before buying. This information can vary between chocolate-covered spiced biscuits.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want ready-made spiced biscuits or would rather bake with chocolate yourself. Then check what the stated cocoa percentage applies to: the bar, the chocolate coating or just one type of chocolate in a mix.
Extra-dark chocolate-covered spiced biscuits
Choose these: if you’re looking for a ready-made spiced biscuit with a clearly stated cocoa content. For Bolletje Extra Pure, Jumbo states that the chocolate coating contains at least 70% dry cocoa solids.
Keep in mind: that percentage applies to the coating, not the whole biscuit. Check current availability too.
Bake your own with dark chocolate
Choose this: if you want to select the chocolate ingredient for your own recipe. Albert Heijn states that Lindt Excellence 90% contains at least 90% cocoa.
Keep in mind: the percentage on the bar won’t tell you how the chocolate will behave in currant bun dough or Dutch spiced biscuit dough.
Assorted chocolate-covered spiced biscuits
Choose these: if you’d like a mix of chocolate types. The Van Delft mix described by Albert Heijn contains milk, white and extra-dark chocolate.
Keep in mind: the stated minimum of 72% cocoa solids applies only to the extra-dark portion, which makes up one third of the mix.
| What to consider | Check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Check whether the percentage applies to the bar, the chocolate coating or one part of a mix. | If you’re looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, you’ll want to assess the percentage without assuming it applies to the whole product. Around 42% of consumers say this is their main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If ingredients or allergens determine your choice, the product name alone isn’t enough. Around 33% of consumers say checking this is what matters most to them. |
| Ready-made or homemade | Decide whether you want to buy spiced biscuits or try a recipe of your own with chocolate. If buying ready-made, check availability too. | You’ll want to know in advance whether you can serve something straight away or need to spend time baking. For around 25% of consumers, this practical choice comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Looking for a currant bun when you mean chocolate-covered spiced biscuits
Albert Heijn’s currant bun recipe uses currants and raisins, while the spiced biscuits discussed here have a chocolate coating. They’re different products.
First decide whether you want to adapt a baking recipe or buy ready-made spiced biscuits. Then search within the right product category.
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Assuming a percentage applies to the whole product
Jumbo states that the chocolate coating on Bolletje Extra Pure contains at least 70% dry cocoa solids. For the Van Delft mix described by Albert Heijn, the minimum of 72% applies only to the extra-dark portion.
Only compare percentages once you know which part of each product they refer to.
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Assuming a seasonal product will always be available
A product listing doesn’t guarantee that the variety you want will be available at your shop when you’re ready to buy it.
Check current in-store or delivery availability before choosing a particular spiced biscuit for your plans.
Brands and shops to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje makes an extra-dark chocolate-covered spiced biscuit for which Jumbo provides product information.
- Jumbo states that the dark chocolate coating on the 300 g variety contains at least 70% dry cocoa solids.
- The percentage doesn’t describe the whole biscuit; check availability of this variety separately.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists currant and muesli buns, as well as separate product information for dark chocolate bars.
- The product information states that Lindt Excellence 90% contains at least 90% cocoa and a Delicata bar contains at least 57% cocoa solids.
- A chocolate bar is an ingredient for your own recipe, not a dark currant bun.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information about Bolletje Extra Pure Chocolade Kruidnoten and also lists dark chocolate bars.
- For the Bolletje variety, the product information specifies which part of the product the cocoa percentage applies to.
- Check whether the particular spiced biscuit is available before relying on it.
PLUS
PLUS describes both extra-dark chocolate-covered spiced biscuits and an assorted pack.
- The product information for the extra-dark variety lists its ingredients and allergens.
- The words ‘extra dark’ don’t in themselves tell you the cocoa percentage of the chocolate coating. Check the packaging if you’re looking for a specific figure.
ALDI
ALDI describes chocolate-covered spiced biscuits with white, milk and dark chocolate in one pack.
- The mix of chocolate types is clearly stated if you’re looking for variety.
- An assorted pack isn’t the same as a pack of extra-dark biscuits only; check the label for the full breakdown.
Lidl
Lidl lists dark chocolate-covered Dutch spiced biscuits under FAVORINA, as well as a separate 90% chocolate bar.
- You can distinguish a ready-made seasonal product from a bar intended as an ingredient.
- Don’t assume the percentage on the bar also applies to the spiced biscuits.
Dark chocolate for your own recipe
This bar suits you if you want to choose a dark chocolate ingredient for a recipe of your own. It isn’t a currant bun or ready-made chocolate-covered spiced biscuit, so consider separately how you’d like to use it in your recipe.
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Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark 100 g
A dark chocolate bar for anyone who wants to choose their own chocolate ingredient for baking.
The product name states 90% cocoa and a weight of 100 g. If you’re using it in dough, first see how the chocolate works in your recipe, and check the current packaging for allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Are currant buns and chocolate-covered spiced biscuits the same thing?
No, they’re different products. Albert Heijn’s currant bun recipe uses currants and raisins, among other ingredients; the chocolate-covered spiced biscuits discussed here are spiced biscuits with a chocolate coating. Choose the product name that matches what you want to bake or buy ready-made.
Does ‘extra dark’ mean the whole biscuit has a high cocoa content?
No, first check what the percentage refers to. For Bolletje Extra Pure, Jumbo states that the chocolate coating contains at least 70% dry cocoa solids. For the Van Delft mix, Albert Heijn states a minimum of 72% for the extra-dark portion, which makes up one third of the mix.
Which allergens should I check in chocolate-covered spiced biscuits?
Always check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. PLUS lists wheat and soya for its extra-dark spiced biscuits; the Van Delft mix described by Albert Heijn contains wheat, milk and soya. Check the separate ‘may contain’ information too, as it varies by product.
How should I store chocolate-covered spiced biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve bought. Jumbo’s product information for Bolletje Extra Pure recommends storing it in a dark, dry, sealed place after opening; PLUS recommends keeping its chocolate-covered spiced biscuits somewhere cool, dry and dark.