Buffet organisers looking for small sweet treats
You want guests to be able to have a little something with dessert or coffee, without putting out a whole regular canoe for each person.
Who is this for?
Organisers catering for guests with allergies
You’re buying for guests whose choices depend on ingredients such as wheat, egg, milk, soya or nuts. In that case, check the current label on the specific pack.
Buffet planners looking to minimise leftovers
You want to match the number of pieces to the number of guests, and would rather top up a small plate than put all the canoes out at once.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve small treats or a whole canoe per guest. Then check the packaging and label of the product you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions | Check that the pack says mini canoes and how many pieces it contains. | If you want guests to help themselves to a small sweet treat, a whole regular canoe at a time may not be ideal; small portions are a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Availability and pack size | Check current stock at the retailer and compare the number of pieces and the pack weight. | If I’m shopping just before Boxing Day, I want to be able to rely on the pack I’ve chosen; availability and pack size are the main concerns for around 24% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current pack. | If a guest has a food allergy, I need to know exactly which canoe I can serve; around 29% of consumers put checking the label first. |
| Leftovers and storage | Choose an appropriate quantity and read the storage instructions for opened products. | If you don’t want to put everything out at once, plan ahead for topping up and storing the rest; this is a key consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming that a ‘mini’ listing means the product is definitely available
Jumbo says its Roomboter Mini Kano’s are no longer part of its online range. ALDI marks its HEERLIJCK BANKET Mini-kano’s as ‘while stocks last’.
Check shortly before your buffet whether your chosen pack is available from your retailer, and think about which alternative would suit your portion plan.
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Assuming a mini canoe is suitable for every guest
The mini size tells you nothing about allergens. For the canoes described here, ingredients or warnings relating to wheat, egg, milk, soya and nuts may be relevant.
Ask guests in advance which allergens they need to avoid, read the current label and keep the packaging handy while serving.
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Putting all the canoes out at once
There’s no need to fill a plate if guests are helping themselves to something sweet at different times. The Voedingscentrum recommends putting out small amounts at Christmas buffets and topping them up when they’re nearly gone.
Top up the plate in batches and store the remaining canoes according to the instructions on their packaging.
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Counting a regular canoe as a mini portion
Albert Heijn lists a 45 g serving size for its regular butter canoes; Jumbo lists five servings in its standard 275 g pack. These aren’t packs labelled as mini canoes.
Compare the number of pieces and the stated serving size with the way you plan to serve the canoes.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo lists regular butter canoes in a 275 g pack and has a product page for 220 g Roomboter Mini Kano’s.
- The mini pack is clearly labelled as mini canoes.
- Jumbo says this mini version is no longer in its online range. The regular pack contains five portions and isn’t mini-sized.
HEERLIJCK BANKET (ALDI)
ALDI lists HEERLIJCK BANKET butter mini canoes: 14 pieces in a 308 g pack.
- The stated number of pieces makes it easier to plan small buffet portions.
- ALDI marks them as ‘while stocks last’. Check the packaging of the product you buy for ingredients and allergens.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists regular AH butter canoes in a 270 g pack, with six 45 g portions.
- The stated pack weight and portion size help you plan for one regular canoe per guest.
- Don’t treat these regular canoes as a mini version; always check the current label if anyone has an allergy.
PLUS
PLUS lists regular butter canoes in a 275 g pack, with almond-paste filling and an almond decoration.
- The product information covers ingredients, allergens and storage, so you can check these details before buying.
- This is a regular canoe, not a version labelled as mini. Compare the online information with the current label.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are mini canoes more convenient for a Boxing Day buffet?
Mini canoes are a good fit for a buffet where guests can help themselves to small sweet treats. If you’d rather serve one whole, larger biscuit per guest, a regular canoe is better suited to your plan. Do check current availability: ALDI lists 14 mini canoes per pack, while Jumbo says its mini version is no longer available online.
Which allergens should I check in canoes?
Check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging of the canoes you’re serving. For the products described here, wheat, egg, milk, soya and almonds or other nuts may be relevant. The size won’t tell you whether a canoe is suitable for a guest with an allergy.
How can I serve canoes without opening everything at once?
Put a small amount on the buffet and top up the plate when it’s nearly empty, as the Voedingscentrum recommends. Store the rest according to the label; Albert Heijn advises keeping opened butter canoes in a sealed tin.
Is online ingredient information enough when someone has a food allergy?
Use online information to help you make your choice, but check the current label on the specific pack before serving. Product information can change, and not every retailer publishes complete ingredient and allergen information online.