Which pack is right for each recipient?

For anyone planning a shared baking session

If you want several people to make pancakes together, check the yield stated for the exact pack. A regular pack does need room in the gift, and may require extra ingredients too.

For anyone choosing a compact gift

A smaller shaker bottle may be more convenient for a gift bag or a larger advent calendar gift. Check the dimensions if the bottle needs to fit in an individual compartment, and see how many pancakes it makes.

For anyone who needs to check the ingredients

If you’re buying for someone with specific dietary requirements or an allergy, read the label for the variant you choose. Also check which ingredients the recipient will need to add to the batter.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the gift is for a shared baking session or should be a small surprise. Then compare the preparation instructions, the label and the available variants.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should consider this?
Yield for sharing Check how many pancakes the exact pack is said to make; recipes can vary. If several people are going to bake from one gift, I want to know whether one pack will be enough. Yield would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Size and preparation Check that the pack will fit and whether you’ll need water, milk, eggs or cooking fat to prepare the mix. When I give a small gift, I don’t want the recipient to find they need lots of extra ingredients. Compact size and ease of preparation would come first for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statement; also check which ingredients need to be added. If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, the whole recipe must be suitable, not just the mix. This check would be the main priority for around 21% of consumers.
Choosing a variant Compare the exact product name, net weight and preparation instructions for the variants available to buy. When I’m choosing between plain, complete and other variants, I want to avoid giving the wrong recipe as a gift. The choice of variant would matter most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a regular pack will fit in a small compartment

    A pack for a shared baking session won’t necessarily fit in an advent calendar. What’s more, the pack’s weight won’t tell you its exact external dimensions.

    Save a pack like this for a bigger gift day, or measure the compartment and the pack before choosing a smaller size.

  • Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free

    For the complete mixes we looked at, water is the only liquid you need to add, but the mix may still contain wheat, milk or egg. You may also need cooking fat for baking.

    Read both the ingredients list and the preparation instructions on the pack you’re giving.

  • Giving the mix as a ready-to-eat treat

    Pancake mix is intended for making batter, which is then cooked. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that eating raw dough or batter can make you ill.

    Present the pack as a baking gift and ask the recipient to follow the preparation instructions.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers regular, complete and shaker-bottle pancake mixes, among other options.

  • According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet makes 8 to 10 pancakes when water is added; the brand gives a yield of 11 to 13 for Pannenkoeken Origineel.
  • The additional ingredients required and allergens vary by variant. Koopmans says its original shaker bottle makes about five pancakes.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes several types of pancake mix alongside branded products.

  • Albert Heijn lists, among other options, a 200 g plain own-brand mix.
  • Compare the pack size and preparation instructions for the variant you choose; a category listing won’t tell you which pack will fit your advent calendar gift.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a 400 g plain own-brand mix.

  • Jumbo gives a yield of around 12 portions for this 400 g variant; use that figure for this product, not for every mix from the brand.
  • Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack you choose.

Belbake (Lidl)

Belbake is one own-brand option for pancake mix.

  • Lidl lists a 120 g multigrain mix, a size worth considering for a smaller gift.
  • Check the information on the specific pack for preparation instructions and ingredients.

Albona (ALDI)

Albona is ALDI’s own brand, with products including pancake baking mix.

  • ALDI lists 400 g pancake baking mixes, a size for anyone putting together one larger gift.
  • Check the ingredients, additional ingredients required and stated yield for each variant.

PLUS

PLUS offers a 400 g complete own-brand mix, among other options.

  • According to PLUS, this Complete variant requires 700 ml water and baking butter or oil.
  • PLUS says this variant contains wheat, milk and egg. ‘Complete’ does not mean allergen-free.

Pancake mixes for an advent calendar gift

These two pack sizes suit different gifting occasions: a 400 g pack for baking together and a 210 g variant for a smaller gift. Check that either pack will fit in the gift you have in mind.

Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g

Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g

A pack for anyone looking to pair one larger advent calendar gift with a shared baking session.

Net weight: 400 g. Check the pack to see how many pancakes this variant makes and which ingredients you need to add.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g

Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g

A smaller pack to consider when you want to keep the gift compact.

Net weight: 210 g. Before adding it to an advent calendar gift, check the dimensions, stated yield and preparation instructions for this variant.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a 400 g pack suitable as an advent calendar gift to share?

Yes, if the gift is for one shared baking session and a larger pack is suitable. Check the yield for the exact product: Koopmans gives a yield of 8 to 10 pancakes for Pannenkoeken Compleet and 11 to 13 for Pannenkoeken Origineel.

What’s the difference between a complete mix and a regular mix?

With the complete mixes we looked at, you add water; you’ll also need cooking fat for baking. Other variants may require milk and eggs, so read the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.

What should I check if the recipient avoids certain ingredients?

Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack, as well as anything the recipient needs to add to the batter. A gluten-free mix isn’t automatically plant-based, and a plant-based mix isn’t automatically suitable for every allergy.

Can pancake batter be eaten raw as a treat?

No. Give the mix as a baking gift and make sure the batter is cooked according to the instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw dough or batter can make you ill.

What information on the pack can help me choose?

Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date and any storage or usage instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; you should also check the preparation instructions for the mix you choose.