Fans of classic kano pastries
You’re looking for a canoe-shaped biscuit with almond paste, and that combination matters more to you than a chocolate coating. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Lidl describe their kano pastries as containing almond paste.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Chocolate lovers celebrating St Nicholas Eve
You mainly want to hand out something clearly described as having a chocolate coating. A chocolate-coated biscuit could fit the bill, as long as you’re happy for it not to be a kano pastry with almond paste.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If you’re buying for others, you’ll want to check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before serving. Also look out for any warnings that the product may contain other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a kano pastry with almond paste or simply a chocolate coating. Then check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and best-before date of your chosen product.
Traditional kano pastry with almond paste
Choose this: if the canoe shape and almond paste filling are most important for St Nicholas Eve.
The trade-off: the kano pastries mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and PLUS aren’t described as chocolate-coated.
Chocolate-coated biscuit
Choose this: if a clearly described chocolate coating matters more than the canoe shape.
The trade-off: Albert Heijn describes Verkade Chocorondjes as biscuits filled with milk cream and coated in milk chocolate, not as kano pastries with almond paste.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Canoe shape and almond paste | Check whether the product is a kano pastry with almond paste. Albert Heijn lists 41% almond paste for pastry-making in its butter kano pastries; Jumbo lists 38% almond paste in its butter kano pastries. | I want to serve a filled kano pastry with coffee, even if it doesn’t have a chocolate coating. For around 44% of consumers, the classic kano pastry comes first. |
| Chocolate coating | Check that the description explicitly says the biscuit or wafer is coated in chocolate. Also check the type of product. | If I want to hand out something chocolatey, the coating matters more to me than a kano shape. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the chocolate coating. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the exact pack, including any warnings that the product may contain allergens. Also check the best-before date. | I’m sharing the biscuits with others and need to know which ingredients and allergens are listed for this exact variety. For around 23% of consumers, checking the packaging is their first concern. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a kano pastry for a chocolate-coated variety
A festive presentation doesn’t mean a product has a chocolate coating. The kano pastries mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and PLUS are described as biscuits with almond paste, with no confirmed chocolate coating.
If you want both features in one product, check that the description explicitly mentions both a kano pastry with almond paste and a chocolate coating. A chocolate-coated biscuit on its own won’t give you both.
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Relying on the product name alone when checking for allergens
Ingredients and allergens can vary between kano pastries and chocolate-coated biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Before sharing, read the current label on the product you’ve chosen, including any warnings that it may contain other allergens. Don’t rely on the name of a similar biscuit instead of checking the label.
Brands to consider
These brands illustrate the difference between a kano pastry with almond paste and a chocolate-coated biscuit alternative. The features listed apply to the specific products below, not to a brand’s entire range.
AH
Albert Heijn describes AH Roomboter kano's, 270 g, as butter biscuits containing 41% almond paste for pastry-making.
- The product listing includes ingredients and allergen information to check before buying.
- The description doesn’t confirm a chocolate coating.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its Kano's met Roomboter, 275 g, as butter biscuits containing 38% almond paste.
- The product listing includes ingredients, allergens and five portions.
- This kano pastry isn’t described as chocolate-coated either.
Sondey
Lidl describes Sondey Kano's, 325 g, as butter biscuits filled with almond paste.
- The description makes clear that these are filled kano pastries.
- No chocolate coating is mentioned; check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket Kano's, 330 g, as pastries in the shape of a kano.
- The product listing confirms the canoe shape.
- No chocolate coating is mentioned; check the label on the exact pack for allergens.
Verkade
Albert Heijn describes Verkade Chocorondjes melkchocolade as biscuits filled with milk cream and coated in milk chocolate.
- The chocolate coating is explicitly mentioned for this specific product.
- Chocorondjes aren’t kano pastries with almond paste; also check the allergen information before sharing.
Chocolate snacks at Joybuy
These biscuits and wafers are options if chocolate matters more for St Nicholas Eve than a kano pastry with almond paste. Check the packaging of each product if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate coating, and read the latest ingredients and allergen information before sharing.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits 150 g
A biscuit option for anyone who puts chocolate first; this isn’t a kano pastry with almond paste.
Pack weight: 150 g. Check the packaging for the chocolate coating and allergen information before sharing the biscuits.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake 9 pieces, 104,4 g
A wafer option for anyone happy to forgo the canoe shape and looking for a chocolate snack; it isn’t a kano pastry with almond paste.
The product name lists nine pieces and a weight of 104,4 g. Check the packaging for details of the exact chocolate coating and allergen information.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate 10 × 12,5 g
This pistachio and milk chocolate variety is an alternative to a kano pastry, not a kano pastry with almond paste.
The product name lists ten units of 12,5 g. Take particular care with pistachios if you’re buying for someone who needs to avoid nuts; read the full allergen information on the packaging.
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KitKat Gold Wafer Chocolate Salted Caramel Flavor 9 pieces
A wafer with chocolate and salted caramel flavour for anyone who doesn’t need to serve a kano pastry with almond paste.
The product name lists nine pieces. Check the packaging to see whether it has the chocolate coating you’re looking for, and read the allergen warnings before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Are traditional kano pastries coated in chocolate for St Nicholas Eve?
The kano pastries mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and PLUS aren’t described as chocolate-coated. Their product listings refer to biscuits in the shape of a kano or biscuits with almond paste. If you want a chocolate coating, look for an explicit mention of one for the exact variety.
What should I choose if I’d rather have a chocolate coating than a kano pastry?
Choose a biscuit whose description clearly mentions the coating. For example, Albert Heijn describes Verkade Chocorondjes melkchocolade as biscuits filled with milk cream and coated in milk chocolate; they don’t have the canoe shape or almond paste filling.
Where can I check allergens when sharing biscuits?
Check the label on the exact pack, including any warnings that the product may contain other allergens. Ingredients vary between kano pastries and chocolate-coated biscuits, and can also differ between varieties, so don’t rely on the name of a similar product.
How should I store kano pastries and biscuits until St Nicholas Eve?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you buy. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing their kano pastries in a cool, dry place; check the instructions for any other product, including after opening.