Fans of a distinct layer of chocolate
If you want the dark chocolate to stand out, compare the biscuit shape and the stated proportion of chocolate. That proportion doesn’t tell you how much cocoa the whole biscuit contains.
Who is this for?
Hosts who want to share biscuits
For coffee with guests, packs containing two biscuits at a time can be handy: you can offer individual portions without opening the whole pack straight away.
Buyers who need to consider allergens
If you’re serving biscuits to guests with an allergy or intolerance, check the current label before buying and serving them. The words ‘dark chocolate’ don’t mean a biscuit is free from milk, wheat, soya or nuts.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the type of biscuit you want to serve: a biscuit topped with a chocolate bar, a digestive with a chocolate coating, or a cookie with chunks. Then consider the packaging and your guests’ needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate and biscuit type | Compare the proportion of dark chocolate or chocolate chunks and decide whether you want a coating, a bar or chunks. Only rely on a stated cocoa percentage if the cocoa content is what matters most to you. | If I want a distinct dark chocolate bite with my coffee, the balance between biscuit and chocolate will determine my choice. For around 36% of consumers, that chocolate flavour would be the top priority. |
| Portions and packaging | Check the number of portions and whether the biscuits are individually packed in pairs; also read the storage instructions for after opening. | When sharing with guests, I don’t want to have to open the whole pack at once. Around 29% of consumers would put ease of sharing first. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | If a guest has an allergy, I need to know whether the biscuit I’ve chosen is suitable for them. For around 21% of consumers, checking allergens would be their first concern. |
| Availability | Check shortly before buying whether your preferred option is available, and choose another type of biscuit if necessary. | If I’ve already planned a coffee get-together, I want to be sure I can actually buy the biscuits. Availability would determine the choice for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means the whole biscuit contains lots of cocoa
A biscuit can contain dark chocolate without the cocoa percentage of the complete biscuit being known. The proportion of chocolate and the cocoa percentage describe different things.
Choose the type of biscuit you want first. If a particular cocoa percentage matters to you, check whether it’s explicitly stated on the product.
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Assuming dark chocolate means there are no allergens
The product information for the biscuits reviewed lists ingredients including milk, wheat or soya; some varieties also carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Read the current label and, if a guest has an allergy, discuss what information you need to make a suitable choice.
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Leaving an opened pack of cookies unsealed
According to Jumbo, the Chocolate Cookies reviewed should be resealed securely after opening and eaten within a few days.
When deciding how many to serve, follow the storage instructions on the pack and reseal the rest after coffee.
Brands to consider
LU
LU Scholiertje Puur is a buttery biscuit topped with a separate bar of dark chocolate, packed in pairs.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains 48% dark chocolate.
- The product information lists milk, wheat and soya, and warns of the possible presence of nuts. Check the current label.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive Puur is a digestive biscuit with a layer of dark chocolate, in a 300 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that the pack contains 30% dark chocolate and 18 portions.
- The product information lists ingredients including milk, cereals containing gluten and soya. Check the packaging before serving the biscuits to guests.
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocolate Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chunks are cookies containing chocolate chunks, rather than biscuits with an even chocolate coating.
- Jumbo states that a 225 g pack contains 40% dark chocolate chunks and 12 portions.
- The pack should be resealed securely after opening. The product information lists wheat and gluten and warns of the possible presence of other allergens.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Biscuit with Dark Chocolate combines caramelised speculoos with a layer of dark chocolate.
- Jumbo’s product information states that it contains 30% chocolate and is packed in pairs.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains milk, wheat and soya. Check whether this specific variety is available to buy too.
Sondey
Sondey Dark Chocolate Digestives are a 300 g digestive biscuit option listed by Lidl as a store product.
- An option to consider if you’re specifically looking for digestives with dark chocolate.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label in store, and see whether the product is available.
Biscuits to enjoy with coffee on Joybuy
This selection is a buttery biscuit topped with a bar of dark chocolate, for anyone who wants to share biscuits in pairs at coffee time.
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LU Scholiertje chocolate 150 g
A buttery biscuit topped with a bar of dark chocolate, for anyone looking for a chocolate layer and individually portioned pairs to enjoy with coffee.
The product information states that the biscuit contains 48% dark chocolate. This is not the cocoa percentage of the whole biscuit or of the chocolate bar.
Before serving, check the current packaging for allergens and any ‘may contain’ information.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark chocolate mean the whole biscuit contains lots of cocoa?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that dark chocolate contains at least 35% cocoa, but the proportion of dark chocolate in a biscuit is different from the cocoa percentage of the complete biscuit. If it matters to your choice, check whether the product states a specific cocoa percentage.
Which allergens should I check when serving biscuits to guests?
Read the current packaging, even if it says the biscuits contain dark chocolate. The product information for the varieties mentioned lists ingredients including milk, wheat or soya; also look for any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the labels of prepacked products.
When is a pack of two biscuits handy?
A pack of two is handy if you want to share portions without opening the whole pack. According to the product information consulted, both LU Scholiertje Puur and Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Biscuit with Dark Chocolate are packed in pairs; check the packaging of your chosen variety when you buy it.