Choose a regular or giant currant bun if you want to cut your own thick slices for larger advent calendar compartments; check that a slice fits before you start. If you’d rather not cut one, a mini size gives you another portion option, but check whether they’re currant buns or raisin buns. When planning when to fill the compartments, follow the best-before date, storage instructions and allergen information on the packaging you have.
For a larger advent calendar compartment, you could try a regular or giant currant bun. Measure the compartment and cut one test slice first: ‘giant’ tells you about the size of the bun, not how well a slice will hold its shape.
If one small bun per compartment is more convenient than cutting slices, look for a mini size. For example, Lidl lists mini wholemeal raisin buns; check the product name and ingredients if you’re specifically looking for currant buns.
When filling an advent calendar, check the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. Read the ingredients and allergen information too, especially if the treats are for someone else.
First decide whether you want to put a thick slice or a whole mini bun in the compartment. Then plan when to buy and fill it according to the packaging instructions.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Thick slices | Measure the compartment and try a slice from one bun. A PLUS recipe uses 4-centimetre slices for French toast; that isn’t a standard size for an advent calendar. | If I want to put a substantial slice in a larger compartment, it needs to fit without being squeezed in. For around 43% of consumers, a thickly cut portion is the priority. |
| Portions without cutting | Compare the compartment size with a whole mini bun and check whether the product contains currants or only raisins. | A small whole bun in each compartment saves me having to cut anything, even if that means giving up thick slices. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this portion option. |
| Storage and labelling | Check the best-before date, storage and freezing instructions, and allergen information on the current packaging before planning ahead. | If I’m preparing treats for several days or buying them for someone else, I want to know when I can use them and what they contain. For around 28% of consumers, planning and checking the label are the main priorities. |
Cutting a thick slice doesn’t extend its shelf life. Jumbo’s product information says its raisin and currant buns keep for ‘1+ day’; that doesn’t mean sliced pieces can be kept in a calendar for weeks.
Only put fresh slices in the compartments shortly before they’re due to be eaten. If you want to prepare in advance, follow the freezing and usage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. For its ‘lekker lang lekker’ (‘stays fresh for longer’) variety, PLUS says to freeze on the day of purchase and use within one month.
Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergens must be clearly stated on the labels of prepacked foods.
Check the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying, even if you’ve already read the information for a similar bun.
Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in one currant and raisin bun that was checked, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume that every currant bun contains this ingredient.
If this information matters for your purchase, check the ingredients list on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn describes a pack containing six raisin and currant buns.
Jumbo lists regular raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.
PLUS lists several options, including currant buns with freezing instructions and Korenlanders Reuze krenten rozijnen bollen.
ALDI describes a pack of six raisin and currant buns.
Lidl lists 360 g mini wholemeal raisin buns as an option if you’re considering putting a whole small bun in each compartment.
Start with a test slice that fits in the compartment rather than treating one thickness as a rule. A PLUS recipe cuts currant buns into 4-centimetre slices for French toast; that recipe measurement doesn’t tell you whether a slice from your bun will fit in a calendar compartment.
Don’t assume that slices will keep in the compartments for weeks. Check the date and storage instructions on your packaging, and fill the compartments with fresh slices shortly before they’re due to be eaten. For its ‘lekker lang lekker’ currant buns, PLUS says to freeze them on the day of purchase and use within one month; for another variety, follow the instructions on its packaging.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the currant buns you’ve chosen. Similar product names don’t mean the ingredients or warnings are the same. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly stated on the labels of prepacked foods.
You can’t assume that every currant bun does. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in one variety that was checked, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So check the ingredients list on the packaging you buy.
