Who are these options for?

Parents who want to bake together

Children can help divide the dough and shape the buns. You’ll need to set aside time for the dough to rise and make sure an adult supervises use of the oven.

Families who want to make something special quickly

If you mainly want to add toppings, decorate or serve together, you can choose a ready-made bun. Mini buns are ideal for individual decorations, while a larger bun can be shared.

Shoppers checking portions and ingredients

If children will be eating too, the size, nutritional information and allergens may influence your choice. Check the details for the specific bun, especially if anyone has a known allergy.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most for your baking activity with children: making the buns together, serving them quickly, or keeping an eye on portions and ingredients.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Getting children involved If you’re baking from scratch, allow time for the dough to rise and check which tasks children can do under supervision. If children want to divide the dough and shape the buns themselves, you’ll need to make time for it. Around 40% of consumers put getting involved first.
Serving something special quickly Choose a size that works for decorating individually or sharing, and check how many buns are in the pack. For a children’s brunch without lots of preparation, I want to be able to decorate or share the buns straight away. For around 30% of consumers, serving something special quickly is the priority.
Portions and ingredients Read the allergen information and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. If there’s a known allergy or you have a particular portion size in mind, I want to know what the bun contains before choosing it. Portions and ingredients are the top priority for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘premium’ means better nutritional value

    Butter and a larger size don’t tell you how much fibre or sugar a bun contains. A butter variety is also unsuitable for anyone with a milk allergy.

    Choose the size and occasion first, then check the nutritional and allergen information for that exact variety.

  • Checking allergens only on packaged buns

    Even when buying a loose bun, you need to know before purchase whether it’s suitable for anyone with a known allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for unpackaged foods must be made available in a different way from on a label.

    For packaged buns, read the current label. For loose buns, ask for allergen information and details of possible cross-contamination.

  • Buying more buns than you need

    A large pack or giant-sized bun may be more than you want to serve for a single activity.

    Count how many people will be eating beforehand, and check the storage instructions in case you have leftovers.

    Leftovers need storage space, and you’ll need to follow the instructions on the packaging.

  • Overlooking raisins and currants for young children

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that young children can choke on raisins or currants. It also recommends small portions of dried fruit because of the sugars it contains.

    Stay with young children while they’re eating, and consider what else you add to the bun when decorating it.

Brands and recipes to explore

Albert Heijn

Allerhande offers classic and wholemeal recipes for anyone who wants to bake from scratch with children.

  • The recipes explain how to divide and shape eight buns, with time allowed for rising and baking.
  • Recipe information doesn’t tell you about the ingredients or nutritional value of a ready-made Albert Heijn bun.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a regular pack of raisin and currant buns, as well as individual mini raisin buns made with butter.

  • The regular raisin and currant bun lists 29.6% raisins and 6.1% currants; the stated portion for the mini butter and raisin bun reviewed is 40 g.
  • Both varieties reviewed contain wheat and milk. Always check the current packaging before buying.

PLUS

PLUS lists standard buns, a longer-life variety and giant currant and raisin buns for sharing around a larger table.

  • For the longer-life variety reviewed, PLUS advises freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month.
  • A giant bun needs to be divided if you want to serve small portions; check the allergen information for each variety too.

Lidl

Lidl lists mini raisin and currant buns made with butter, with nine buns per bag.

  • The mini size gives each child an individual bun to decorate.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Joybuy products

Children’s baking set

A handy set of child-sized tools for helping to mix, divide and shape bun dough.

Reusable silicone baking mat

A reusable surface for preparing dough and keeping your worktop tidy while you bake together.

Food decorating kit

Decorating tools for adding a finishing touch to ready-made buns or freshly baked treats.

Frequently asked questions

Are mini buns handy for decorating with children?

Yes, a mini bun gives each child their own to decorate and makes it easier to serve individual portions. A smaller size doesn’t tell you anything about the nutritional value per 100 g, so check the packaging for the variety you choose.

Can I freeze ready-made currant buns for a brunch?

According to the product instructions, you can freeze the longer-life PLUS currant buns reviewed here: freeze them on the day of purchase and use them within one month. For another variety, follow the instructions on its packaging.

How do I check allergens in currant buns?

For a packaged currant bun, read the current ingredients and allergen information; for a loose bun, ask the seller for those details before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority distinguishes between information on the label and the information that must be made available in another way for unpackaged products.

What should I bear in mind when young children eat currant buns?

Keep portions small and stay with them while they eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit because of its sugar content and warns that young children can choke on raisins or currants. Also check the ingredients of the whole bun and any extra toppings.