If you want wide slices for snacks with toppings, choose a whole currant and raisin loaf so you can cut it to your preferred thickness. A partially sliced loaf saves you the effort, but check that the existing slices are thick enough. Giant currant and raisin buns are a better choice if you want to serve each guest an individual, round snack.
With a whole currant loaf, you can choose the thickness and size of the slices yourself. If you buy a partially sliced loaf, how well it works with your toppings will depend on the actual slice size.
Giant currant and raisin buns are already portioned individually. Their round shape does, however, give you a different surface for toppings than a slice of bread.
Read the current packaging for the variant you choose. The products reviewed contain wheat and gluten; some also list milk, lactose or the possible presence of other allergens.
Choose this if: you want to cut your own wide slices to your preferred thickness.
The trade-off: you’ll need to cut the slices evenly yourself.
Choose this if: you want a loaf with less slicing to do; ALDI describes its Drentse bol as partially sliced.
The trade-off: check that the existing slices are thick enough for your toppings.
Choose this if: you’d rather serve individual, round snacks than slices from a loaf.
The trade-off: a bun doesn’t have the same flat cutting surface as a slice of bread.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting surface and slice thickness | Check whether you’re buying a whole or partially sliced loaf, and whether the slices suit your chosen topping. | For a sharing board with toppings, I want to be able to cut wide slices. Around 33% of consumers put the cutting surface first. |
| Individual portions | Compare the number of pieces and check their actual size; ‘giant’ doesn’t indicate an exact measurement. | If every guest is having their own snack, I’d rather hand out buns than slice a loaf. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Label and ingredients | Read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before. | If ingredients or allergens determine your choice, you’ll want to check the specific variant. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Check the use-by date and storage instructions, especially if you’re buying in advance or want to freeze the product. | For a planned evening, I want to be able to get my shopping ready without ignoring the storage advice. Around 20% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
An individual bun has a different shape from a whole or partially sliced loaf. The word ‘giant’ doesn’t guarantee a particular slice thickness either.
First decide whether you want to serve slices of bread or round portions, then check the shape of the product.
The variants reviewed contain wheat and gluten; some also list milk, lactose or the possible presence of other allergens.
Before serving, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for that exact variant.
The product name doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in a particular variant.
If the type of salt matters to your choice, read the product’s ingredients list.
Freezing instructions vary by product. PLUS says its Krentenbollen lekker lang lekker can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
Follow the date and storage instructions on the packaging you buy; don’t automatically apply the instructions for this PLUS variant to other buns.
Alongside individual buns, Albert Heijn offers a whole AH Krenten rozijnenbrood, a product format that lets you cut your own slices.
Jumbo Rozijnen Krentenbollen are sold in packs of six, making them a good choice if you want individual portions.
PLUS sells both ordinary currant buns and Korenlanders Reuze krenten-rozijnenbollen; the giant variant is a good match for larger individual snacks.
ALDI describes its Drentse bol as a partially sliced currant loaf; it also sells individual raisin and currant buns.
Lidl describes its currant buns as individual, soft buns containing currants.
Choose a whole currant loaf if you want to cut your own wide slices to your preferred thickness. A partially sliced loaf means less cutting, but check the existing slice thickness. Giant buns are better suited to round, individual snacks.
Yes, but check whether the shape and size of each bun work for what you want to serve. A PLUS recipe uses 4 cm slices; this is a serving suggestion, not a standard size for every currant bun.
That depends on the instructions for the variant you buy. PLUS says its Krentenbollen lekker lang lekker can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other products, follow the instructions on their own packaging.
Check the salt listed in the ingredients for that specific product. The names ‘currant loaf’ and ‘currant buns’ don’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
Before serving, read the current allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen. The variants reviewed contain wheat and gluten; some also list milk, lactose or the possible presence of other allergens. Don’t rely on the product name alone or on a pack you bought previously.
