If you want to keep the sugar content of your Christmas baking as low as possible, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’ on the front of the pack. A biscuit with a verified sugar reduction or one you bake yourself may suit your preferred taste, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s low in total sugars. Whatever you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about polyols.
You’re looking for a biscuit with as little sugar as possible, according to the nutritional information, for your Christmas baking. As well as checking ‘of which sugars’, look at the serving size and the sweeteners used.
You want to choose your own speculaas spices, ingredients and source of sweetness. A recipe with no added sugar may still contain sugars that occur naturally in ingredients such as dates.
You’re looking for a biscuit or a stroopwafel for the Christmas table, and a sugar reduction matters more to you than the lowest possible total sugar content. Compare both the sugar-reduction claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g.
First decide whether your priority is the lowest possible total sugar content, a familiar biscuit taste with less sugar, or control over a recipe you bake yourself. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact product you want to use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and consider how many biscuits you’ll use per serving. | For a biscuit base, I mainly want to know how much sugar the biscuits I use contain. For around 36% of consumers, the lowest possible total sugar content comes first. |
| Taste and sugar reduction | Check what a ‘less sugar’ claim is being compared with, and also read the actual sugar figure per 100 g. | I want a familiar stroopwafel for the Christmas table, but with a verified reduction in sugar. For around 29% of consumers, a familiar taste with less sugar is the main priority. |
| Baking your own | Check the source of sweetness and the other ingredients in the recipe, and plan how you’ll make it. | If I want to choose the speculaas spices and source of sweetness myself, a recipe gives me that flexibility. For around 21% of consumers, having that control over their Christmas baking matters most. |
| Allergens and polyols | Check the label on the exact pack for allergens and warnings about sweeteners. | When I’m serving biscuits to others, I want to know which ingredients and warnings are relevant to them. Allergens or the tolerance of polyols are the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn compares its Roomboter stroopwafels met minder suiker with its regular AH Roomboter stroopwafels and states that they contain 32% less sugar. According to the product information, the lower-sugar version still contains 23 g of sugars per 100 g.
When you see a sugar-reduction claim, also check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g to decide whether the product suits your baking plans.
Sugars that occur naturally in ingredients still count towards the nutritional value. Albert Heijn’s recipe for biscuits with no added sugars lists 6 g of sugars per serving and includes ingredients such as dates.
Decide whether you want to avoid added sugar or compare total sugar content; these are different choices.
Biscuits containing polyols may carry a warning that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. For example, the product information for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie zonder suikers lists 26 g of polyols per 100 g.
As well as the nutritional information, read the ingredients and warnings, especially if you’re serving the biscuits to others.
Biscuits with a similar taste may contain different ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
If you have an allergy, check the current information on the exact pack, even if you’re replacing a biscuit you’ve used before.
Céréal offers biscuit varieties with no sugars and with less sugar, including a chocolate chip cookie.
Its own-brand range includes both biscuits with very little total sugar and stroopwafels with less sugar than another AH variety.
Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit to consider if you’re specifically looking for a variety with no added sugar.
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a familiar choice if you’re considering a classic speculoos flavour as a crumb or topping.
Jumbo offers a recipe for shortbread-style biscuits made with sweetener, which you can flavour with speculaas spices.
No. Ingredients can contain sugars naturally. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, despite the ‘0% added sugar’ claim. So if the total sugar content matters for your Christmas baking, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure.
The warning may relate to added polyols, such as maltitol. EU labelling rules require a warning on foods containing more than 10% added polyols. Check the ingredients and warning on the biscuit variety you want to use.
Follow the storage advice for the specific recipe. For its recipe for biscuits with no added sugars, Albert Heijn recommends keeping them in a sealed tin outside the fridge for 4–5 days. Don’t automatically apply that guidance to biscuits made with different ingredients or using a different method.
Check the allergen information on the label of the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of prepacked products. If you’re choosing a different variety, don’t rely on the brand name or flavour alone.
