Pre-packed speculoos with dark chocolate can be a practical choice for a children's party, provided the portions suit the group and the ingredients are suitable for the children eating them. Lotus Biscoff lists a pack of 7 x 3 biscuits and 22% chocolate in the overall product. If you specifically want a high cocoa content, you'll need to look for a separately stated cocoa percentage. You could also consider plain spiced biscuits with dark chocolate chosen separately.
Pre-portioned biscuits can make things easier when you're catering for a group of children. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands describes its dark chocolate speculoos as a pack of 7 x 3 biscuits. First, check that the ingredients are suitable for the children who'll be eating them.
If a child needs to avoid certain allergens, the packaging of the exact product is what matters. Product information from Lotus Biscoff and Verkade lists ingredients containing milk, soya and gluten, among others. The Verkade listing also warns that hazelnuts and almonds may be present.
Dark chocolate may be a popular choice for adults or older guests. The 22% chocolate content listed by Lotus Bakeries Netherlands for its speculoos isn't the same as the cocoa percentage of that chocolate. Compare labels if the cocoa percentage is important to you.
A good fit if: you're looking for a biscuit with dark chocolate that already comes in portions; Lotus Biscoff lists 7 x 3 biscuits.
Trade-off: the Lotus version contains wheat, milk and soya, and its 22% chocolate content doesn't tell you the cocoa percentage of the chocolate itself.
A good fit if: dark chocolate isn't essential and you'd also like to compare a chocolate product with spiced biscuit pieces.
Trade-off: Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade isn't a biscuit topped with dark chocolate. You'll need to check the portions you want to hand out and the allergens yourself.
A good fit if: you want to choose the chocolate's stated cocoa percentage yourself.
Trade-off: you'll need to put the portions together yourself and check the ingredients and allergens in both products.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for both the allergens present and any warnings about possible traces. | If a child needs to avoid an allergen, I want to know whether the treat is suitable for them. For an estimated 33% of consumers, checking allergens comes first. |
| Portions | Compare the number of individually wrapped portions and pieces per portion with the number of people you want to hand them out to. | I want to hand out the treats without having to divide up a chocolate product first. For an estimated 42% of consumers, convenience is the main priority. |
| Cocoa information | Look for a clearly stated cocoa solids percentage if it will affect your choice. Don't confuse this with the proportion of chocolate in the whole biscuit. | For older guests, I want to choose the chocolate flavour based on a stated cocoa percentage. For an estimated 25% of consumers, this information makes all the difference. |
Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists 22% chocolate in the overall speculoos product. That figure doesn't tell you how much cocoa the chocolate itself contains.
If you want to compare products by cocoa content, look for a clearly stated cocoa solids percentage for the chocolate.
The Lotus Biscoff version reviewed contains wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade also lists hazelnuts and almonds as possible traces.
Ask about any relevant allergies before the party, and check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you'll actually be handing out.
Albert Heijn marks its page for AH Speculaas Met Pure Chocolade as ‘Discontinued’. The page also warns that product and allergy information may change.
Check whether the product is available, and read the packaging when you buy it to confirm the current ingredients and allergen information.
Lotus Bakeries Netherlands describes Original Speculoos with dark chocolate as a pack of 7 x 3 biscuits.
The page for AH Speculaas Met Pure Chocolade describes a 320 g pack, but marks the product as ‘Discontinued’.
Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade is a milk chocolate product with spiced biscuit pieces, not a spiced biscuit topped with dark chocolate.
No. ‘Dark’ doesn't tell you which allergens the product contains. Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging.
No. According to Lotus Bakeries Netherlands, 22% is the proportion of chocolate in the overall speculoos product, not the proportion of cocoa in the chocolate. To compare cocoa content, look for a separately stated cocoa solids percentage.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you've chosen. For Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade, Jumbo Supermarkten advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place.
First check whether you can buy the product. Albert Heijn marks the relevant product page as ‘Discontinued’. If you do find it, check the packaging for the current ingredients and allergen information.
