Bakers looking for a wintry flavour
You want the cinnamon or speculoos flavour to be in the pancake itself, so it doesn’t depend entirely on the toppings. Koopmans and Albert Heijn include these flavour options in their ranges.
Who are these options for?
Those planning small Advent baking sessions
You bake small quantities on different days and want to know in advance what to add each time. A complete mix and a shaker bottle may differ in this respect, so check how many pancakes the pack you choose will make, too.
Bakers who like to vary the toppings
You’d rather use one basic mix and choose different toppings or fillings for each Advent occasion. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI offer plain options, but ingredients and preparation methods vary from product to product.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want the flavour to come from the mix or from your own additions. Then compare the yield and preparation method with the number of separate occasions you plan to bake for.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour in the mix | Check whether cinnamon or speculoos will work with your planned toppings. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose. | If I don’t want to add many flavourings, the pancake itself needs to suit my Advent treat. For around 40% of consumers, this flavour element comes first. |
| Small baking sessions | Compare the yield, extra ingredients needed and instructions for preparing the batter. | I’d rather make a small quantity for each Advent occasion than prepare everything at once. A suitable portion with little preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Variety with toppings | Choose a plain mix that works with a range of additions, and check the labels on those additions, too. | If I want to make something different each time, one base mix that I can customise is more useful. This flexibility matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a seasonal flavour means it’s a limited edition
A cinnamon or speculoos mix isn’t automatically a temporary or limited edition. This distinction matters if limited-edition status is the main reason you’re buying it.
Before buying, check whether the packaging, product page or retailer’s information explicitly says that it’s a limited edition.
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Assuming every complete mix or shaker mix is prepared in the same way
Koopmans says you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet, while the PLUS shaker mix requires milk. The product format alone doesn’t tell you what you’ll need.
Read the preparation instructions and check the yield for the exact variety before planning a baking session.
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Preparing the batter in advance for another occasion
PLUS says its bottle pancake mix should be used straight away after being mixed with milk. This instruction doesn’t suit a plan to bake the prepared batter on another day.
Only prepare as much as you intend to use straight away, and follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought.
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Checking only the product name for allergen information
Ingredients and allergens can vary between mixes and flavours. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the legal requirement to list allergens on food labels.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve actually bought, even if you’ve used a different variety before.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers, among other options, pancake mixes with cinnamon and speculoos, a complete mix and a shaker bottle.
- You can compare a flavoured option with varieties focused on how they’re prepared.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; a flavoured option isn’t automatically a limited edition.
AH huismerk
Albert Heijn offers several plain mixes under its own brand, as well as flavoured varieties from Koopmans.
- This gives you options to compare a plain base with a mix that has a flavour of its own.
- Check the current packaging and range at the shop you’re buying from.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo offers, among other options, plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- The range of basic options lets you compare ingredients and preparation methods.
- Check the ingredients you need to add for each pack; the variety name alone doesn’t give you all the preparation instructions.
PLUS huismerk
PLUS offers pancake mix in a box and a plain variety in a bottle.
- The bottle is worth comparing with a standard pack when planning a small baking session.
- The PLUS bottle mix requires milk; according to the product instructions, the batter must be used straight away once mixed.
Albona
ALDI offers, among other options, a plain pancake mix and a multigrain variety under the Albona brand.
- You can choose whichever of these two types of base best suits the additions you have planned.
- Check the range at your local shop and read the packaging for the variety you choose.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes may suit small, separate baking sessions or Advent treats where you choose the flavour through the toppings. For the variety you choose, check the preparation instructions and look for any limited-edition claim on the current packaging.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider for a separate Advent baking session; check the pack to see what you need to add to this variety.
Contents: 210 g.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker bottle to compare for a small baking session with your choice of toppings; check which liquid you’ll need before you start baking.
Contents: 175 g.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A basic mix for anyone who wants to create their own Advent flavours with toppings; prepare an amount to suit your baking session.
Contents: 400 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pancake mix with cinnamon or speculoos a limited edition?
Not necessarily: the flavour doesn’t tell you how long the mix will be available. If a limited edition is important to you, look for an explicit statement on the current packaging, product page or retailer’s information.
Does a complete pancake mix only need water?
It depends on the product: Koopmans says you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet, while the PLUS bottle mix requires milk. Follow the preparation instructions for the exact variety you buy.
Can I prepare the batter in advance for a later Advent occasion?
Follow the instructions for your mix. PLUS says its bottle pancake mix should be used straight away after being mixed with milk, so don’t plan to keep the prepared batter for another day if you’re using this variety.
Where can I check the allergens in a pancake mix?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the legal requirement to list allergens on food labels; check the labels on any toppings, too.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store it tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage instructions and date on the pack of your mix.