Home bakers making a classic biscuit base
For cheesecake or quark tart, you need biscuits you can crush and press into the tin with butter. Albert Heijn’s basic cheesecake recipe uses digestives for this.
Which biscuit is right for you?
Home bakers who need to avoid gluten
If your guests need to avoid gluten, look for biscuits specifically labelled gluten-free. Also check the other allergens listed on the packaging and the ingredients in the rest of the tart.
Home bakers who want to add a caramel flavour
If you want the base or topping to add flavour, Lotus Biscoff is an alternative to a plain digestive. Lotus describes its biscuits as caramelised and suitable for use as an ingredient in cooking.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check whether an allergy or dietary requirement limits your choice. Then decide between a classic base, a distinct flavour or a pack size that suits your recipe.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Classic biscuit base | Choose plain digestives if your recipe calls for ordinary digestives. Albert Heijn’s basic cheesecake recipe uses 200 g of biscuits, crushed and pressed into the tin with butter. | If the filling is meant to be the star, I want to use plain digestives, as the recipe specifies. For around 39% of consumers, a classic base comes first. |
| Gluten and allergens | If you need a gluten-free option, check that the product is explicitly labelled as such and read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack. | If I’m baking for someone who needs to avoid gluten, suitability determines which biscuits I can use. This is the first thing around 23% of consumers consider. |
| Flavour of the base | Decide whether your recipe will work with plain, wholemeal or caramelised biscuits; Lotus Biscoff is not a flavour-neutral digestive. | If I want the base to add a caramel flavour, I wouldn’t automatically choose the digestives in the original recipe. For around 15% of consumers, this kind of flavour is the biggest consideration. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare the pack weight with the amount you need and check what’s currently available. A recipe that calls for 200 g of biscuits won’t necessarily use a whole 400 g pack. | If I’m only baking one tart, I want to know how many biscuits I need and what will be left over. For around 23% of consumers, this practical consideration is the most important. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all digestives are gluten-free
Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s plain digestives contain wheat, as does McVitie's Digestives Original. So the name of the biscuit doesn’t mean it’s suitable for anyone who needs to avoid gluten.
Choose a product that is specifically labelled gluten-free, and also read the other allergen information on the packaging.
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Using a caramelised biscuit as a neutral substitute
Lotus describes Biscoff as having a distinct caramelised flavour. This will change the taste of a base originally intended for plain digestives.
Choose Biscoff if that flavour works with your filling; stick to plain digestives if you want to follow the original flavour combination.
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Forgetting how much biscuit you need
Albert Heijn’s basic cheesecake recipe calls for 200 g of digestives, while several of the digestives mentioned are sold in 400 g packs. You may have some biscuits left over after baking.
Before buying, check how many grams your recipe calls for and how you’ll store an opened pack.
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Relying on outdated ingredient information
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially important if you’re baking for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement.
Check the information on the current pack just before use, and check the other ingredients in the recipe too.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers plain digestives and a 400 g wholemeal variety. The retailer also suggests digestives for cheesecake recipes.
- AH Digestive is described as vegan and lactose-free on the product page.
- The wholemeal variety lists 37% wholemeal wheat flour and 6 g of fibre per 100 g, but, like the plain variety, it contains wheat.
Jumbo
Jumbo Krokante Digestive Biscuit is a plain digestive in a 400 g pack, suitable for recipes that call for a classic biscuit base.
- The ingredients list includes wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour.
- The product contains wheat and gluten; check the packaging for information about other allergens.
McVitie's
McVitie's Digestives Original is a branded version of the classic wheat digestive. Albert Heijn recommends it for cheesecake recipes.
- A good choice if you specifically want to use McVitie's Digestives Original in your recipe.
- The product information lists wheat and says it may contain milk.
Schär
Schär Digestive Landtaler is a biscuit specifically labelled gluten-free. Jumbo suggests using it as a base for quark tart or cheesecake.
- An option when the biscuits for your base need to be gluten-free.
- Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all allergens, so read the full information on the current pack.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus presents Biscoff as a caramelised biscuit that can also be used as an ingredient in cooking.
- Ideal for a base or topping when you want to add a caramel flavour.
- It’s not a flavour-neutral substitute for a plain digestive.
Biscotto (ALDI)
ALDI describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as crunchy wheat biscuits, with around 27 biscuits in a 400 g pack.
- An everyday wheat biscuit to compare with other digestives in store.
- If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Biscuits for your baking on Joybuy
These two biscuits offer different options for home baking: McVitie's Digestives Original for a classic digestive base, and Lotus Biscoff when you want the base or topping to add a caramel flavour.
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McVitie's Digestives Original 400 g
For a classic digestive base: Albert Heijn recommends McVitie's Digestives Original for cheesecake recipes.
400 g pack. The product information lists wheat and says it may contain milk; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g
For a base or topping with a deliberate caramel flavour; Lotus says Biscoff can also be used as an ingredient in cooking.
250 g pack. This isn’t a flavour-neutral digestive, so make sure it works with your recipe and check the current label if you have an allergy.
Frequently asked questions
Which digestives should you use for a cheesecake base?
Plain digestives are a good match for a recipe that calls for a classic digestive base. Albert Heijn’s basic recipe uses 200 g of digestives: crush them, mix with butter and press the mixture into the tin. Choose a different biscuit carefully, as it can change the flavour and ingredients.
Are plain digestives gluten-free?
The plain digestives mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and McVitie's are not: they contain wheat or gluten. If the biscuits need to be gluten-free, choose a product specifically labelled gluten-free and check the other allergens listed on the packaging too.
Does choosing vegan or lactose-free digestives make the whole tart suitable?
No. Albert Heijn labels its AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free, but you’ll need to check the butter and filling ingredients separately. So make sure you check the entire recipe and the current packaging.
How should you store opened digestives for another baking session?
Keep them dry in an airtight container. Albert Heijn recommends storing its digestives in a sealed tin; Jumbo advises keeping its biscuits well sealed and in a dark place. Also follow the instructions on your own pack.
What should you check when baking for someone with a food allergy?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the biscuits and all the other ingredients in the recipe. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly and accurately listed on the label. Don’t rely solely on the product name or a product page you viewed earlier.