If you want to bake pepernoten or kruidnoten, buy the ingredients for your chosen recipe rather than ready-made currant buns: they are no substitute for the dough. If you’re looking for a currant bun for yourself, pay particular attention to the number in the pack, storage instructions and label; the supermarket products mentioned are multipacks.
A multipack is only practical if you can also store, share or freeze the remaining buns according to the product instructions. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list currant buns in packs containing several buns.
A ready-made currant bun isn’t suitable for this baking purpose. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s kruidnoten recipe uses a separate dough made with ingredients including self-raising flour and speculaas spices.
For a currant bun, check the label for the exact variety you’re buying: Jumbo and PLUS product information lists ingredients including wheat or gluten and milk. Don’t assume that iodised baker’s salt has been used without checking.
First decide whether you want to bake or eat a currant bun. If you’re choosing a currant bun, check the pack and the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Product for baking | Choose ingredients for the recipe you want to make, or a mix specifically intended for that bake. A currant bun isn’t kruidnoten dough. | If I want to bake kruidnoten, I need ingredients for the dough, not a ready-to-eat bun. Getting the right type of baking product is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Packaging and storage | Compare the number of buns and read the storage instructions. For its pack of six currant buns, PLUS says to freeze them on the day of purchase and use them within one month. | I want to be able to eat a currant bun on my own without the rest of the pack going to waste. That’s why around 33% of consumers prioritise packaging and storage. |
| Label | Check the allergen information for the exact variety and, if necessary, find out what type of salt was used. The product name alone won’t tell you. | When ingredients are key to my choice, I don’t want to rely on assumptions about allergens or baker’s salt. Checking the label comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
A currant bun is already baked, whereas Albert Heijn Allerhande’s kruidnoten recipe starts with a separate dough made with ingredients including flour, butter, sugar and spices.
Decide what you want to bake before you buy, then choose the ingredients or a mix intended for it.
The currant buns mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are sold in multipacks. That makes the number in the pack important if you’re buying just for yourself.
Choose a pack whose remaining buns you can store, share or freeze according to the product instructions.
Dutch regulations allow iodine to be added through baker’s salt under certain conditions. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients list for the currant bun you’ve chosen, or ask the baker which salt they used.
Jumbo lists gluten, milk and wheat in its raisin currant buns. PLUS also lists other allergens for its currant buns, as well as the possibility of cross-contamination.
Check the current allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.
Albert Heijn lists currant buns and muesli buns in its online category, and also publishes recipes for pepernoten and kruidnoten.
Jumbo provides product information for ready-made raisin currant buns, as well as a separate listing for currant bun mix.
PLUS lists currant buns in packs of six, with information about ingredients, allergens and storage.
No. Albert Heijn Allerhande describes pepernoten as softer and anise-flavoured, and kruidnoten as smaller, harder and flavoured with speculaas spices. Decide which one you want to bake before choosing a recipe or mix.
No, ready-made currant buns aren’t a substitute for kruidnoten dough. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses ingredients including self-raising flour, butter, sugar and speculaas spices; follow a suitable recipe to make kruidnoten.
No, you shouldn’t assume that. Dutch regulations allow iodine to be added through baker’s salt under certain conditions, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the ingredients for the currant bun you’ve chosen or ask the baker.
It depends on the instructions for the pack you’ve chosen. For its pack of six currant buns, PLUS says you can freeze them at home on the day of purchase and should use them within one month.
Check the label for allergens and any risk of cross-contamination for the exact variety. Jumbo lists gluten, milk and wheat in its raisin currant buns; PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, rye and milk in its currant buns, as well as the possible presence of other allergens.
