For a plate to enjoy with coffee or tea, choose crisp speculaas biscuits; go for filled speculaas if almond paste is the star of the show. A speculaas tart is more of a dessert to serve at the table, but it needs to be kept chilled. Whatever you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and current availability.
You want to serve something at the table on St Nicholas’ Eve and are choosing between a tart, pieces of filled speculaas and a plate of biscuits. If you opt for a chilled tart, you’ll also need to make room in the fridge.
You want a particular filling or ingredient in the product, not just a festive name on the packaging. For example, Jumbo states that its butter speculaas fingers contain 50% almond paste.
You need to check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product you choose. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in pre-packed foods are listed in the ingredients list.
Choose these when: you want to put out biscuits to enjoy with coffee or tea.
The trade-off: flaked almonds or butter don’t turn a biscuit into a filled dessert.
Choose this when: almond paste matters more than a plate of crisp biscuits.
The trade-off: the filling also changes which ingredients and allergens you need to check.
Choose this when: you want a ready-to-serve dessert for the table.
The trade-off: a chilled tart needs to be transported appropriately and kept in the fridge.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert to serve at the table | Check whether it’s a ready-to-serve dessert, how it should be stored and whether it’s available. | If I want to end the evening with dessert, I’m looking for something other than plain biscuits. For around 29% of consumers, the dessert occasion comes first. |
| Filling and ingredients | Compare the product description and stated quantities of almond paste, almonds or butter; flaked almonds aren’t the same as an almond paste filling. | If you’re mainly looking for almond paste or a butter version, look beyond the name on the packaging. This choice of ingredient matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Biscuits to share | Check the product format, pack size and storage instructions once opened. | With coffee or tea, I want guests to be able to help themselves to a biscuit. Easy sharing is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list and check the packaging for any warning about possible traces. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I can’t rely on the product name alone. For around 21% of consumers, checking this comes before choosing the type of dessert. |
Albert Heijn lists 7.1% flaked almonds in AH Amandelspeculaas; Jumbo, by contrast, describes its butter speculaas fingers as filled with 50% almond paste. These are different types of product.
If you want a filling, look for the words ‘almond paste’ or ‘filled’ in the description, and check the ingredients for the product you choose.
The product information for Jumbo Luxe Speculaasvlaai stated that it should be stored at a maximum of 7 °C. The same tart was no longer listed as available online.
Check availability before counting on it, and follow the storage instructions for the dessert you buy.
A chilled dessert also needs to be transported appropriately and kept in the fridge until it’s time to serve.
Ingredients vary between speculaas products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority advises checking the allergen information in the ingredients list for pre-packed foods.
Read the current packaging for the exact product you’re buying, including any warning about possible traces.
A product that suits the type of dessert you want may not be available when you go to buy it; Jumbo stated that its Luxe Speculaasvlaai was no longer available online.
Decide in advance whether filled speculaas or a plate of biscuits would also work with your serving plans.
A speculoos option for biscuits to enjoy with coffee or to use as a dessert ingredient.
A way to compare options including almond, filled and butter speculaas.
Options include butter speculaas biscuits, filled fingers and speculaas pastries.
A filled speculaas option if you’re looking for a traditional pastry filling.
A shop to consider for filled speculaas in the St Nicholas’ range.
A shop to consider for baker’s speculaas and St Nicholas’ products.
These products work well on a plate of biscuits or as speculoos ingredients for a dessert you put together yourself. A spread isn’t a ready-made speculaas dessert; if you’re looking for filled speculaas or a chilled tart, make sure you choose that type of product.
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An almond variety for serving as a speculaas biscuit. The pack contains 400 g; check the current ingredients and allergens if they’re important to your choice.
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A speculoos biscuit to enjoy with coffee or add to a plate of biscuits, rather than filled speculaas. The pack contains 250 g; if you have allergies, read the current ingredients list and allergen information.
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A crunchy spread for creating your own speculoos-inspired treat. The jar contains 700 g; this isn’t a speculaas biscuit or a ready-made dessert.
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A spread to use in a dessert you make yourself, rather than a ready-to-serve speculaas pastry. The jar contains 400 g; check the packaging if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
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A spread for a dessert you make yourself, rather than a plate of biscuits on its own. The jar contains 400 g; check the current ingredients and allergens before use, particularly if hazelnut is a consideration for you.
Choose filled speculaas if you want to serve almond paste, or a speculaas tart if you’d like to put a chilled dessert on the table. For coffee or tea, a plate of butter or almond speculaas biscuits is another option; the word ‘luxury’ alone doesn’t tell you what type of product you’ll get.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you buy, as dry biscuits and chilled pastries need to be stored differently. Albert Heijn advises keeping AH Amandelspeculaas in a sealed tin once opened; the Jumbo Luxe Speculaasvlaai reviewed was to be kept at a maximum of 7 °C.
Read the ingredients list on the current packaging and look for any warning about possible traces. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in pre-packed foods must be listed in the ingredients list; ingredients vary from product to product.
Check the packaging again for the variety you’re buying now. Albert Heijn advises reading the packaging before eating the product, so don’t rely on the product name or an ingredients list you’ve seen before.
Check availability before planning your dessert around one particular tart. Jumbo stated that its Luxe Speculaasvlaai was no longer available online; filled speculaas or a plate of biscuits could be an alternative if it also works with your serving plans.
