A host who prefers dark chocolate
You want to serve adult guests something with a distinct dark chocolate element, but don’t assume that ‘dark’ means a particular cocoa percentage. Compare the chocolate details on the packaging instead.
Who are these biscuits for?
A party planner looking for easy-to-share treats
You want to know how many biscuits you can put out without cutting them up or unwrapping lots of individual portions. The stated number of portions and the type of packaging are more useful than the weight alone.
A host who takes allergies into account
You’re serving guests with different dietary needs, so ask about any relevant allergies in advance. Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the dark chocolate flavour, the number of portions or the ingredients matter most for your birthday. Then compare the packaging on that basis: the proportion of dark chocolate in a biscuit is not the same as the cocoa percentage of the chocolate.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Look for a specific cocoa percentage if that matters to you. Otherwise, compare the stated proportion of dark chocolate or dark chocolate pieces, without mistaking it for the cocoa percentage. | If you mainly want to serve biscuits with a distinct dark chocolate element, you’ll want to know exactly what ‘dark’ means on the packaging. For around 40% of consumers, flavour is the top priority. |
| Portions and serving | Compare the number of portions and check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped, wrapped in pairs or loose. | When you’re putting together a platter for several guests, you’ll want to match the number of biscuits to your guest list and the other snacks. Around 30% of consumers prioritise portioning convenience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ask about any relevant allergies and check both the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. | If a guest has an allergy, you’ll need to check the packaging before serving anything. Allergen information comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing the proportion of dark chocolate with its cocoa percentage
Jumbo states that its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces; Albert Heijn says its sugared biscuits have a layer of 27% dark chocolate. These percentages describe the proportion of the biscuit, not how much cocoa the chocolate itself contains.
If you want a specific cocoa percentage, look for it explicitly on the current packaging. If it isn’t stated, compare the products only on the chocolate information that is provided.
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Choosing a mix of chocolate flavours when you only want dark chocolate
According to Albert Heijn, AH Choc chip contains both dark and milk chocolate pieces. The Biscotto pack described by ALDI combines dark, white and milk chocolate. Neither is therefore the same as choosing biscuits made with dark chocolate only.
Check which types of chocolate are listed on the packaging before putting a mixed box on the table as your dark chocolate option.
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Checking allergens only on an older product page
Ingredients and allergens can vary between products, and product information can change. Your Europe explains that prepacked foods in the EU must show information including ingredients and allergens.
Ask your guests about any relevant allergies in advance, then check the information on the packaging of the products you’ve actually bought just before serving.
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Planning a small coffee-time portion as your only party treat
A pack with six portions is suited to a different group size from one with twelve or thirty portions. So don’t look only at the weight or chocolate flavour.
Compare the stated number of portions with your guest list and take the other snacks you’re serving into account.
You may need several small packs for a larger group.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo sells, among other things, cookies with dark chocolate pieces and cookie bars combining different types of chocolate.
- Jumbo states that its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces and provide twelve portions per pack.
- According to Jumbo, its Chocolate Cookie Bars also contain milk chocolate. What’s more, the proportion of dark chocolate in a biscuit doesn’t tell you its cocoa percentage.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes both sugared biscuits with a dark chocolate coating and chocolate chip biscuits containing milk and dark chocolate.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Sugared Biscuits with Dark Chocolate have a coating made of 27% dark chocolate; the product information states that the pack contains thirty portions.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Choc Chip Milk & Dark Chocolate combines 29% dark chocolate pieces with 11% milk chocolate pieces. Check the current packaging when you buy them.
LU
LU Scholiertje Dark is a butter biscuit topped with a bar of dark chocolate, wrapped in pairs.
- The pack described contains six portions, making it a handy choice for a small coffee or tea break.
- For a larger group, you’ll need to work out how many packs you need based on your guest list. Check the allergens on the packaging too.
Biscotto
The Biscotto chocolate biscuits described by ALDI come in a mixed pack of butter biscuits.
- ALDI states that a 250 g pack contains twenty biscuits.
- The pack contains biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate, so it isn’t suitable if you want to serve dark chocolate only.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries describes Lotus Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
- It can add a different biscuit flavour to the party table alongside chocolate biscuits.
- The Biscoff biscuits described aren’t a substitute if dark chocolate or a stated cocoa percentage is your main criterion.
Dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits on Joybuy
These biscuits are described as having a dark chocolate flavour. Don’t take that flavour description as proof of a particular cocoa percentage: check the packaging if the chocolate content is a deciding factor for your celebration.
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Franzzi Premium dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits, 70 g
An option if you’re looking to serve dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits; the flavour name alone doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage. The pack weighs 70 g. Check how many biscuits it contains, along with the current ingredients and allergen information, before planning for your guests.
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Franzzi Mellow dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits, 115 g
A choice for anyone looking for a pack of dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits; the stated weight is 115 g. For a birthday, compare how many biscuits each pack contains too. Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and look for a specific cocoa percentage if that matters to you.
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quduoduo Chunky dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits, 72 g
A dark chocolate-flavoured biscuit option in a 72 g pack. If dark chocolate is your main criterion, check the packaging to see which chocolate is used and whether a cocoa percentage is stated. Before serving, check how many biscuits the pack contains and read the current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean a biscuit has a high cocoa percentage?
No. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you the cocoa percentage of a biscuit. For example, Jumbo states that its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces, while Albert Heijn says its sugared biscuits have a 27% dark chocolate coating. Both figures describe the proportion of a chocolate component; look for a separate cocoa percentage if it matters to your choice.
How do I work out how many biscuits I need for a birthday?
Compare the stated number of portions with your guest list and the other snacks you’re serving. The packs described for AH Sugared Biscuits, Jumbo Chocolate Cookies and LU Scholiertje Dark state thirty, twelve and six portions respectively. The pack weight alone won’t tell you how you want to hand out the biscuits.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Ask which ingredients the guest needs to avoid, then check the current packaging of every biscuit you plan to serve. Look at both the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces; don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ or a product photo alone.
How should I store opened biscuits until the party?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal any opened biscuits securely. The product information described recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place; an airtight tin can help protect the biscuits once opened.