If you want to bake biscuits
You’re looking for ingredients that suit your recipe and don’t want to confuse dried currants, raisins or chocolate with a ready-made bread roll or a gift box.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re looking for a sweet bread roll
You want to eat currant buns straight away or take them with you, and you’re checking the packaging, storage instructions and allergen information.
If you want to give someone an edible gift
You’re looking for chocolate to give or share, and checking that the ingredients and allergen information are suitable for the recipient.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re shopping for a biscuit recipe, something to eat or a gift. Then compare only products that suit your purpose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for the recipe | Does the recipe call for dried fruit, chocolate or a ready-made product? Check the product type on the packaging. | If I’m baking biscuits, I want to buy what the recipe calls for, not a finished product. For around 31% of consumers, suitability for the recipe comes first. |
| Giving and sharing | Check the contents, individual packaging and allergen information for the box of chocolates. | If you want to give something as a gift or share it, you’ll want packaging that’s suitable for the occasion. This is the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ready to eat | Check the pack size and storage advice for the currant buns. | For a snack, I want something I can take with me and don’t have to bake first. Around 23% of consumers prioritise being able to eat it straight away. |
| Planning the quantity | Compare the pack contents with how much you need for the recipe, eating occasion or gift. | If I’m shopping for a single occasion, I want to choose a quantity that suits it. For around 15% of consumers, planning the quantity is most important. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing a currant bun with currants for baking
A currant bun is a ready-made bread product. According to Jumbo’s product information, its raisin and currant buns contain ingredients including flour, water, raisins and currants. They’re not the same as loose dried fruit.
Check which ingredients the biscuit recipe calls for first, and buy currant buns only if you specifically want a ready-made bread roll.
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Assuming a box of chocolates is suitable for everyone
Allergens vary from product to product. Albert Heijn’s product information for its merci gift box lists ingredients including milk, nuts and soya.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before giving it as a gift, even if you’ve bought the box before.
Brands and retailers to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for both raisin and currant buns and a merci box of chocolates.
- The currant buns listing includes ingredients and storage advice, while the merci box contains individually wrapped chocolates.
- Bread rolls and gift chocolates serve different purposes. Check the latest label for both products.
Albert Heijn
The product information for the merci gift box is useful if you’re looking to give or share chocolate.
- The product page lists the contents and allergens in the gift box.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredient and allergy information can change, so check the packaging too.
PLUS
PLUS lists currant buns for anyone looking for a ready-made bread roll.
- The product information includes allergens and storage advice. PLUS also says you can freeze the buns on the day you buy them.
- Check the packaging for allergens and follow the storage advice for the product you buy.
ALDI
ALDI describes raisin and currant buns and a merci chocolate assortment for different occasions.
- The raisin and currant buns are described as wheat rolls with raisins and currants.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before choosing either product.
Lidl
Lidl lists currant buns and pralines as separate product types.
- Lidl lists several praline varieties, including milk chocolate hearts and cream truffles.
- Lidl describes the pralines as an in-store product. Check the packaging if ingredients or allergens affect your choice.
Product for baking biscuits
These chocolate chips are a good choice if your biscuit recipe calls for them. If you’re looking for a ready-made bread roll or a box of chocolates as a gift, you’ll need to choose something else.
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Dr. Oetker Chocolate Chips 100 g
For biscuits where the recipe calls for chocolate chips. Adjust the amount to suit the recipe.
Pack size: 100 g. Check the allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use currant buns instead of currants in biscuits?
Not as a direct substitute for dried currants. The raisin and currant buns described by Jumbo are ready-made bread rolls. If your recipe calls for dried currants or raisins, buy them separately.
When should I choose a box of chocolates instead of currant buns?
Choose a box of chocolates if you mainly want to give something as a gift or share it. Jumbo describes its merci box as an assortment of individually wrapped chocolates, while currant buns are bread rolls to eat.
Which allergens should I check in these products?
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy. According to Jumbo’s product information, its raisin and currant buns contain wheat and milk. Albert Heijn lists ingredients including milk, nuts and soya in its merci gift box. Check for any ‘may contain’ statements too.
Do all currant buns contain baker’s salt?
Don’t assume they do: check the ingredients list for the specific product. Jumbo lists baker’s salt in its raisin and currant buns, but that product listing doesn’t tell you what’s in other currant buns or the exact amount of iodine.
How should I store currant buns and a box of chocolates?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of each product. Jumbo recommends keeping its raisin and currant buns in a cool, dry, dark place. PLUS says you can freeze its currant buns on the day you buy them. For the merci chocolates described here, the advice is to keep them away from heat.