Stallholders who want to control the chocolate flavour
You want to choose a recognisably dark chocolate component to serve with speculaas. A stated cocoa percentage is more helpful than the word ‘dark’ in the product name alone.
If you want to choose a distinctly dark chocolate flavour for your Dutch doughnuts, you can select the chocolate component more precisely by choosing dark chocolate with a stated cocoa percentage and buying the speculaas separately. A ready-made combination may involve fewer steps, but check current availability, product specifications and allergen information before buying. If you choose separate components, pay particular attention to keeping the recipe consistent.
You want to choose a recognisably dark chocolate component to serve with speculaas. A stated cocoa percentage is more helpful than the word ‘dark’ in the product name alone.
You’re looking for a product format that’s easy to portion when it gets busy, without skipping checks on the current packaging and availability.
You need to know which allergens are present in each Dutch doughnut variation. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, customers must be informed about allergens present in non-prepacked food.
A ready-made biscuit can mean fewer steps at your stall. Choosing chocolate and speculaas separately lets you select the chocolate component more precisely, but you’ll need to work out and standardise the combination yourself.
Choose this if: you want a fixed product format that doesn’t need to be assembled from separate components.
The trade-off: you can only assess the chocolate component by checking the specifications of the exact product. When checked on 7 October 2026, Albert Heijn listed AH Speculaas Met Pure Chocolade as discontinued.
Choose this if: you want to select a chocolate component with a stated cocoa percentage. Albert Heijn lists separate bars with 75% and 85% cocoa, among others.
The trade-off: your stall will need to keep track of the recipe, portion sizes and allergen information for the finished Dutch doughnut.
The main things to consider will depend on how you plan to work when choosing products for a Dutch doughnut stall. Use the checks below for the exact products and portions you intend to offer.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate flavour | Check the cocoa percentage of the exact product and taste it with the Dutch doughnut you plan to serve. | I want to choose a distinctly dark chocolate component rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Quick service | Compare how many steps are involved and check whether you can divide the product into the portions you need. | When it gets busy at the stall, I want to serve the same portion every time without too many extra steps. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Portion sizes and waste | Compare pack sizes with how much you plan to use per Dutch doughnut, and consider what might be left over with your preparation method. | I don’t want to be left with lots of unused chocolate or broken biscuits when preparing and serving portions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Allergen information | Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each component, and record the recipe for each Dutch doughnut variation. | When toppings vary, I want to make sure customers and staff always have the right allergen information. This is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
The product name alone won’t tell you the cocoa percentage of the chocolate in the combination you choose.
Check the percentage on the exact product and taste one set combination with the Dutch doughnut before finalising your recipe.
When checked on 7 October 2026, Albert Heijn listed AH Speculaas Met Pure Chocolade as discontinued. Don’t plan your service around this product without checking current availability.
Also decide on an alternative using chocolate and speculaas chosen separately.
Changing products just before you start selling can mean extra preparation and leftover ingredients.
For non-prepacked Dutch doughnuts with different toppings, the information can vary between options. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires customers to be informed about allergens present; the information must also be available in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors.
Keep an up-to-date written or electronic allergen chart for each option, based on the packaging you use or information from your suppliers.
Albert Heijn offers options for both a ready-made combination and choosing dark chocolate separately.
Jumbo lists dark chocolate and speculaas chunks separately, so you can choose each component individually.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff chocolate as chocolate with crunchy Lotus Biscoff pieces.
No. Check the stated cocoa percentage of the exact product. Albert Heijn, for example, lists separate bars with 75% and 85% cocoa. The word ‘dark’ alone won’t tell you the percentage of the chocolate you want to use.
Only if you check its current availability and product specifications again. When checked on 7 October 2026, Albert Heijn listed this variety as discontinued. If it is available, also check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Tell customers which allergens are present in the Dutch doughnut and topping you offer. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be available for non-prepacked food. Keep an up-to-date written or electronic version for staff and inspectors too.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any business that handles food must be registered with the NVWA. The NVWA states that each premises must be registered separately.