For a crumb base or decoration, a biscuit that’s easy to crush is the obvious choice. Chocolate speculoos is a better fit if you also want that distinctive flavour in your cake. Check how many biscuits your recipe calls for, whether each wrapper contains one biscuit or a portion, and the label on the exact variety if you have allergies.
If you want to crush biscuits for a base or decoration, their texture and flavour matter, as does the quantity you need. Verkade uses crushed biscuits in its cake recipes for bases and crumb decorations; the right ratio depends on your own recipe.
If you only use some of the biscuits each time you bake, individually wrapped biscuits let you open only the portions you need. Just check whether each portion contains one biscuit or several.
If you’re baking for someone with an allergy or intolerance, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging of the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.
First decide whether you’ll use the biscuits in a base, as decoration or alongside the cake. Then check the pack size and how many you actually need.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and flavour | Check whether the biscuit can be crushed for your recipe and whether chocolate, chocolate chip or chocolate speculoos will work with the other flavours. | For a base, I want crumbs that suit my recipe, without a strong speculoos flavour overpowering the filling. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion packaging | Check whether each biscuit is wrapped individually or whether a wrapper contains several biscuits; also read the storage advice. | If I only bake occasionally, I want to be able to keep the remaining portions sealed. Around 29% of consumers put this packaging requirement first. |
| Quantity | Compare the quantity in your recipe with the net weight and the number of usable chocolate biscuits, especially when buying an assortment. | For several cakes or a larger occasion, I want to know in advance whether there are enough biscuits of the type I want. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Label and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and any storage instructions for the exact variety. | If I’m baking for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Chocolate speculoos also has a speculoos flavour. That can make a base or topping taste different from one made with chocolate chip biscuits.
Read the product name and ingredients, and choose a flavour that works with your filling. If you’re trying a new biscuit, start with a small amount in your recipe.
An individually wrapped assortment doesn’t have to consist entirely of chocolate biscuits. The Lotus Luxe Assorti box described by Jumbo contains 230 biscuits, including 50 Biscoff with chocolate.
Work out how many chocolate biscuits you need and check the mix in the box before choosing an assortment.
Product information can change. And a page listing ingredients or pack details doesn’t necessarily mean the item is still available to order.
Check current availability before buying, and read the ingredients and best-before date on the packaging you receive before use.
Ingredients vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens that must be declared should be clearly listed in the ingredients.
If you have an allergy, check all the information on the current packaging of the exact biscuit you intend to use, including relevant warnings about possible traces.
An option if you’re specifically looking for chocolate speculoos for your cake. A box described by bol contains 200 individually wrapped portions.
Makro Nederland describes a box of Chocolate Chip Cookies containing around 120 individually wrapped biscuits.
Verkade recipes show how crushed biscuits can be used in a cake base and as a crumb decoration.
Product pages can help you check the pack size and label information for a specific variety.
The product description for Lotus Luxe Assorti shows why you should check the contents of a mixed box.
These individually portioned chocolate biscuits are particularly useful if you want to open only some of them each time you bake. For a crumb base, check for yourself that the texture and quantity suit your recipe.
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An option if you’d like to open individual portions for each baking session: Joybuy describes portions containing two biscuits. If you’re making a crumb base, start with a small amount and follow your recipe; if you have allergies, check the current label.
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Consider these biscuits if you’re looking for chocolate and portion-sized packaging. Compare the net weight of 246 g with your recipe, check the number of biscuits on the pack, and start with a small amount if you plan to crush them for a base. If you have allergies, read the current label.
Not necessarily: the packaging doesn’t tell you how easily the biscuit will crumble or bind in your recipe. Verkade uses crushed biscuits in its cake recipes, but if you’re trying a different variety, start with a small amount and use the ratio in your own recipe.
No, a wrapper may contain several biscuits. Joybuy lists portions of two biscuits for LU Scholiertje, so check how many biscuits are in each wrapper rather than relying on the words ‘individually wrapped’ alone.
Check the ingredients and relevant warnings on the exact pack. The RIOBA biscuits described list wheat, egg and milk, while the Lotus Biscoff with chocolate lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be declared on labels.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging. RIOBA Chocolate Chip Cookies are described as needing to be kept in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight; for another variety, follow the instructions on its own label.
Only if the mix contains enough chocolate biscuits for your plans. For example, Jumbo describes a Lotus Luxe Assorti box containing 50 Biscoff with chocolate among 230 biscuits, but also notes that the box is no longer in its online range.
