Host with a full Christmas table
If you’re serving coffee or tea several times, a stated number of servings can help you plan. Jumbo lists around 48 servings for its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas.
Who are you choosing spiced biscuits for?
Organising a large Christmas gathering
For a large group or several rounds of serving, the number of individual biscuits may matter more than the weight alone. Jumbo lists Lotus The Original Speculoos as a pack of 300 biscuits weighing 1.875 kg. Speculoos is not the same product as speculaasbrokken.
Host catering for guests with allergies
If any of your guests have an allergy, check the label on every individual pack, even if you know the brand. Read the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination before serving the biscuits.
What should you look for when buying?
First, estimate how many times you’ll serve the biscuits. Then choose the type of biscuit and check that the label meets your guests’ needs and suits your plans for any leftovers.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight and the stated number of servings or biscuits with the number of times you plan to serve them. | If I’m having coffee with guests several times, I want to know whether there’ll be biscuits each time. Having enough is the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Easy to share | Check whether the pack contains small biscuits or larger pieces, and what serving size is stated. | If I’m putting out a plate for guests to help themselves, I want a type of biscuit that works for sharing. Ease of sharing matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the ingredients, declared allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the exact pack. | If a guest has an allergy, I don’t want to rely on the brand name or a dietary claim alone. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Leftovers | Check the best-before date and storage advice. Compare the nutritional information of different products on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | I want to be able to store and use whatever is left after Christmas according to the label. Leftovers are the main consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
-
Choosing the biggest pack without comparing servings
Weight doesn’t tell you how many servings you can offer or how the biscuits are served. Jumbo lists around 48 servings for its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas, compared with around 12 servings for its 375 g Speculaasbrokken.
First decide whether you want smaller biscuits or larger pieces. Then compare the stated servings with the number of guests and rounds of serving.
-
Assuming a dietary claim means the product is allergen-free
The 250 g Lotus Biscoff variety is described by the retailer as vegan, but it also lists wheat and soya. A dietary claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether a guest with an allergy can eat the product.
Read the ingredients and any warnings on the pack of the exact variety you plan to serve.
-
Relying only on the front of the pack or a product page
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing the nutritional values of products per 100 g.
Use product pages to decide which packs you want to look at, then check the label on the pack you’ve bought before serving.
-
Forgetting to plan for what’s left in a large pack
A bulk pack needs somewhere to be stored and a plan for using the contents after your Christmas gathering.
Check the best-before date and follow the storage advice on the label. Jumbo says its Bakkers Speculaas should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus offers small speculoos biscuits in a range of pack sizes. Jumbo lists, among others, a 250 g pack with around 32 biscuits and The Original Speculoos with 300 biscuits weighing 1.875 kg.
- The stated quantities help you estimate how many individual biscuits you’ll need for each round.
- The 250 g variety described as vegan lists wheat and soya. If anyone has an allergy, check the label on the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas and 375 g Speculaasbrokken. The difference in biscuit shape matters when deciding how to serve them.
- The product information lists around 48 and around 12 servings respectively.
- Bakkers Speculaas lists wheat and gluten, and warns that it may contain almonds and nuts.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online spiced biscuit range included different biscuit shapes and pack weights, including mini speculaas biscuits and Bakkers Speculaas.
- You can compare different pack sizes and shapes side by side.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the pack you buy.
Spiced biscuits for a smaller gathering
This Joybuy selection is a 200 g pack of spiced biscuits. If you’re buying for Christmas guests, compare the quantity with the number of guests and times you plan to serve them.
Image unavailable
Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies 8 pcs, 200 g
The 200 g pack could suit a smaller gathering or make a handy addition for an extra round of serving. Check the servings and allergens on the label before offering the biscuits to guests.
Frequently asked questions
How many spiced biscuits should I buy for Christmas guests?
Use the stated number of servings or biscuits as a starting point, then count how many times you plan to serve them. Jumbo lists around 48 servings for its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas; for its 250 g Lotus Biscoff, Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits. Check how the retailer defines a serving for the pack you choose.
Is vegan spiced biscuit suitable for someone with a wheat or soya allergy?
No. Vegan doesn’t mean a product is free from wheat or soya. The 250 g Lotus Biscoff variety described as vegan lists both ingredients. If a guest has an allergy, always check the current label on the exact pack.
Where can I find allergen information on a pack of spiced biscuits?
Check the ingredients list, where the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the regulated allergens must be clearly identifiable. There are 14 allergens that must be declared. If relevant to your guests, also read any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
What should I do with spiced biscuits left over after Christmas?
Follow the storage advice on the pack and check the best-before date. Jumbo says its Bakkers Speculaas should be ‘stored in a cool, dry place’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that you can assess a product after its best-before date by looking at it, smelling it and tasting it, provided the packaging is undamaged.