Which option is right for you?

Visitors looking for a dessert-style treat

A filled speculaas muffin or almond speculaas is ideal if you want to offer something different from an individual biscuit. Albert Heijn offers both types of product; check the portion size and serving suggestions for each one to make sure they suit your stall.

Organisers who want to serve treats easily

Individual biscuits or pieces are handy for a coffee area or stall where visitors can help themselves. A large pack, such as Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, could be a good fit. Also consider how you’ll keep the biscuits dry once the pack is open.

Buyers for whom allergens are a deciding factor

If you’re buying for guests with an allergy, check the current packaging. For unpackaged products, ask the seller for allergen information. For filled and almond-rich varieties, also look out for any warnings about cross-contamination.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re serving a ready-made treat or putting together a dessert yourself. Then compare the portions, storage instructions and allergen information for the products you’re actually planning to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Serving as a dessert Choose between a filled portion, almond speculaas or an ingredient for a dessert you make yourself. If I want to offer something more festive than an individual biscuit, the format needs to suit the way I’ll present and prepare it. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this dessert-style presentation.
Serving and storage Compare the packaging, portions and storage instructions; check whether a dessert needs to be kept chilled. At a stall where visitors help themselves, I want to be able to serve treats without cutting or arranging them. For around 30% of consumers, ease of serving is the main priority.
Allergens Read the current label and, for unpackaged products, ask about allergens and cross-contamination warnings. If I’m buying for guests with an allergy, I need to know what’s in the product before serving it. This check is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming an almond variety is suitable for everyone

    A filling or almond content doesn’t tell you everything about the other ingredients. The speculaas muffin and almond speculaas described by Albert Heijn also contain other allergens that may be relevant.

    Check the packaging of the product you’re serving. For unpackaged speculaas, ask the seller for allergen information.

  • Assuming a seasonal range you saw before is still available

    A seasonal product listed on an old product page may not be available when you’re buying supplies for the Christmas market.

    Check the current range shortly before buying. When your order arrives, make sure the product and packaging match what you plan to serve.

  • Planning to serve a chilled dessert at a stall without refrigeration

    Storage instructions vary from product to product. For a luxury speculaas tart it offered previously, Jumbo advised keeping it chilled at a maximum of 7 °C.

    Read the storage instructions before choosing a dessert for your stall. If you can’t maintain the required temperature, choose a product whose storage requirements suit your set-up.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers both almond speculaas and an individual speculaas muffin with almond filling and flaked almonds.

  • Two different ways to serve speculaas as a festive treat.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of these products.

Jumbo

Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, 600 g, is an option for serving individual biscuits.

  • The pack is suitable for a serving area where visitors can help themselves to biscuits.
  • Don’t assume that a luxury seasonal variety you’ve seen before will still be available.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff speculoos as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee and as an ingredient to use in the kitchen.

  • An option for serving individual biscuits or making a dessert yourself.
  • Check the allergen information for your chosen variety and for any other ingredients in the dessert.

ALDI

ALDI offers filled speculaas with almonds and almond paste in a pack of 2 × 250 g.

  • A filled option to consider if you want to share speculaas.
  • Check availability in store and read the label before serving.

Lidl

Lidl offers crisp Bakkersspeculaas, 600 g, as a shop product.

  • A larger pack for anyone who wants to serve individual crunchy biscuits.
  • Check the packaging if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.

Speculaas and speculoos at Joybuy

These products suit different ways of serving treats at a Christmas market: almond speculaas or speculoos biscuits to share, and speculoos spread or speculaas to use in a dessert you make yourself. Using an ingredient takes more preparation than serving a biscuit as it is.

g'woon Almond Speculaas, 400 g

g'woon Almond Speculaas, 400 g

For anyone who wants to serve almond speculaas as a biscuit rather than as an individual filled dessert. The pack contains 400 g; check the current label for allergen information and storage instructions before serving.

View at Joybuy
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie, 250 g

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie, 250 g

A biscuit to enjoy with coffee or serve in individual portions, rather than a filled dessert. The pack contains 250 g; check the allergen information on the current label.

View at Joybuy
Lotus Biscoff Spread, 400 g

Lotus Biscoff Spread, 400 g

For a dessert you make yourself with speculoos spread; this isn’t a biscuit to serve individually. The jar contains 400 g. Also check the allergens in any other ingredients you use.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Sprinkled Speculaas, 300 g

g'woon Sprinkled Speculaas, 300 g

For anyone who wants to add speculaas to a dessert they’ve made themselves, rather than serve it as a biscuit treat on its own. The pack contains 300 g; when serving, bear in mind the ingredients and allergens in the dessert as a whole.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask about allergens in unpackaged speculaas at a Christmas market?

Yes. According to Ondernemersplein, sellers in the Netherlands must provide customers with clear allergen information for unpackaged food. Ask about the specific product before buying it for someone with an allergy.

Where can I find allergen information for pre-packed speculaas?

Check the ingredients list on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared need to be clearly distinguished from the other ingredients.

Can I leave a speculaas tart unrefrigerated for the entire Christmas market?

Not if the storage instructions say to keep it chilled. Jumbo advised storing its luxury speculaas tart at a maximum of 7 °C; always follow the instructions for the specific tart, muffin or pastry you’re serving.

How do I keep crunchy speculaas fresh while serving it?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and protect opened biscuits from moisture. Albert Heijn recommends storing its almond speculaas in a sealed tin once opened; Jumbo says to store its Bakkersspeculaas in a cool, dry place.