Who is this relevant to?

Home bakers who want to make kruidnoten

You want to make your own dough, shape it into small balls and bake them. A ready-made biscuit won’t do the job; Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe starts with baking ingredients that are kneaded into dough.

Bakers using biscuits as a topping

You’ve already made kruidnoten or prepared a dessert base, and you’re looking for speculaas biscuits to crumble over it or use as small decorations.

Bakers who consider portions and allergens

You want to divide biscuits into portions and check whether the ingredients and allergens are suitable for the people you’re baking for. Also check for any filling and warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need dough to bake kruidnoten, or a ready-made biscuit to finish your bake. Then compare the size, filling and label.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Dough or biscuit Choose baking ingredients if you want to shape and bake kruidnoten; choose a ready-made biscuit to use after baking. If I want to shape small kruidnoten myself, I need workable dough rather than a biscuit that’s already been baked. For around 42% of consumers, baking is the priority.
Size and portion Check the number of biscuits, the net weight and whether each biscuit is the right size for crumbling or decorating. For a topping, I want to be able to portion out small amounts without a larger serving dictating the finish. Around 33% of consumers give portioning the highest priority.
Filling and allergens Check the filling, ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. When I’m baking for others, the flavour and ingredients need to suit both the recipe and the people eating it. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Buying a mini biscuit when you need dough

    You can’t shape a baked biscuit into kruidnoten. For kruidnoten dough, Albert Heijn Allerhande uses ingredients including butter, sugar, speculaas spices, self-raising flour and milk.

    Choose the ingredients for dough if you want to bake from scratch. Save mini biscuits for crumbling, decorating or serving.

  • Treating filled speculaas as a plain biscuit crumb

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Mini speculaas pensée contains 23% almond paste. This filled pastry has a different composition from a plain speculaas biscuit.

    Choose it only if you deliberately want to add almond paste to what you’re serving; otherwise, look for an unfilled biscuit to crumble.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    Speculaas and speculoos products can contain different ingredients and allergens. The name doesn’t tell you which warnings appear on the current packaging.

    Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements before baking for someone with an allergy.

  • Checking availability only once you’ve started baking

    Jumbo no longer listed Mini Speculaasjes in its online range, while Albert Heijn reported that AH Mini speculaas pensée had been discontinued.

    Before planning your recipe, check that your chosen product is available and, if necessary, find an alternative that serves the same purpose.

    A last-minute change could mean an extra trip to the shop or an adjustment to your finishing touches.

Brands to consider

Lotus Biscoff

A speculoos biscuit for anyone who wants to add the distinctive Biscoff flavour after baking.

  • Lotus describes Biscoff as crunchy and suitable for use as an ingredient in cooking.
  • The product information lists wheat and soya; if you have allergies, check the current label.

Jumbo

Jumbo Mini Speculaasjes are an example of small speculaas biscuits for a post-baking option.

  • The packaging described contained 125 g of mini speculaas biscuits made with butter and speculaas spices.
  • Jumbo reported that this product was no longer in its online range. If you choose an alternative, also check the packaging for wheat, milk and any mention of almonds.

Albert Heijn

AH Mini speculaas pensée is a filled mini pastry for serving, not the same as a dry biscuit for fine crumbs.

  • For this product, Albert Heijn lists 23% almond paste, butter and speculaas spices.
  • Albert Heijn reported that the product had been discontinued. If you choose a similar filled pastry, check the current allergen information too.

Biscuits to use after baking

These biscuits are options to add after baking, such as pieces or crumbs with kruidnoten or a dessert. They won’t replace kruidnoten dough, so check that their size and ingredients suit your plans.

Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 biscuits, 200 g

Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 biscuits, 200 g

A speculaas biscuit to use after baking as a piece or crumb, if it’s the right size for your finishing touches.

The pack contains 8 biscuits and weighs 200 g. Check the dimensions, any filling and the allergens listed on the current packaging.

View at Joybuy
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, 250 g

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, 250 g

An option if you want to serve Biscoff biscuits alongside homemade kruidnoten.

The pack contains 250 g. Check that the biscuits are the size you want, and read the current label for information about wheat, soya and other allergens.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use mini speculaas biscuits instead of kruidnoten dough?

No, a ready-made mini speculaas biscuit can’t replace the dough you use to shape and bake kruidnoten. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses ingredients including butter, sugar, speculaas spices, self-raising flour and milk. You can use biscuits after baking as crumbs or decoration.

Are pepernoten and kruidnoten the same thing?

No. Albert Heijn Allerhande describes kruidnoten as small, hard biscuits flavoured with speculaas spices, while pepernoten are softer and more irregular in shape. So, decide which result you want before choosing ingredients or biscuits for decorating.

How do I check mini biscuits for allergens?

Before using them, read the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed in the ingredients list of prepacked foods. For these biscuits, look out for wheat, milk, soya, egg and almonds wherever they appear on the relevant label.

Can I rely on an old product page for availability and ingredients?

Check both again before buying or baking. Jumbo and Albert Heijn reported that the mini speculaas products mentioned were no longer in their ranges. When choosing, always use the current packaging as your guide to ingredients and allergens.