St Nicholas bakers who want to control the topping
A standard pancake mix lets you decide how many Dutch spiced biscuits to add to each pancake. Koopmans uses the biscuits as a topping in its recipe for St Nicholas pancakes.
Which approach is right for you?
Bakers who want to keep the ingredient list short
If you add the biscuits just before serving, a complete pancake mix can help keep preparation to a minimum. According to the manufacturer, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water.
Bakers who check ingredients carefully
Pancake mix and Dutch spiced biscuits are separate products. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for both, especially if you’re baking for someone with a food allergy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want to use Dutch spiced biscuits just as a topping or bake them yourself too. Then choose your pancake base according to the ingredients you’ll need, and check both packages.
Standard pancake mix
Choose this: if you want to add the biscuits as a topping to each pancake, as in the Koopmans recipe.
Bear in mind: the biscuits aren’t included in the mix and need to be bought separately.
Complete pancake mix
Choose this: if you want to prepare fewer separate ingredients for the batter; Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to add the biscuits separately.
Separate Dutch spiced biscuit baking mix
Choose this: if you want to bake the biscuits first and then use them on your pancakes. Koopmans offers a separate baking mix for this.
Bear in mind: you’ll also need pancake mix, and you’ll have an extra step in the oven to plan for.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch spiced biscuits as a topping | Choose a pancake base and decide whether to add whole or crumbled biscuits after cooking. | I want to choose how many biscuits go on each pancake. For around 36% of consumers, having that choice over the topping comes first. |
| Batter with few extra ingredients | Check the preparation instructions to see what you need to add; Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water. | If I want to get started quickly, I look for a mix that needs little preparation. That’s the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest labels on both the mix and the biscuits. | When I’m baking for someone with a food allergy, I want to be able to check both products before combining them. Around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| Availability | For a seasonal product, check the specific package in store or on the current product page. | I don’t want my baking plans to depend on a package I might not be able to find. Availability is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking biscuit baking mix for pancake mix
Koopmans Kruidnotenmix is made for baking Dutch spiced biscuits in the oven, not for making pancake batter.
Decide whether you want to bake the biscuits yourself or use them as a topping, then choose a suitable pancake mix as well.
-
Assuming seasonal packaging will always be available
Jumbo reported that a specific Koopmans Dutch spiced biscuit pack was no longer part of its online range. This doesn’t tell you whether other packs or shops stock the biscuits.
Check the pack you want to buy shortly before baking; loose biscuits can be an alternative if you only need a topping.
-
Reading only the pancake mix label
When combining products, the ingredients in the topping matter too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Check the latest labels on both products separately before using them.
Brands and shops to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers separate pancake mixes and a Dutch spiced biscuit baking mix.
- According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter, while Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water.
- The biscuit baking mix is designed for the oven, not a pancake mix with Dutch spiced biscuit flavour.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range overview features standard pancake mixes and a separate Dutch spiced biscuit category.
- The range includes AH mixes in plain, multigrain and wholemeal varieties.
- Check which products and pack sizes are available when you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range overview features Koopmans pancake mixes and a separate Dutch spiced biscuit baking mix.
- The Original and Complete mixes mentioned offer different preparation methods.
- A product page reported that a specific Koopmans biscuit pack was no longer available online; check the current packaging.
PLUS
PLUS features a plain pancake mix, a complete pancake mix and a separate Koopmans Dutch spiced biscuit baking mix.
- According to PLUS, its complete pancake mix is prepared with water.
- For pancakes with Dutch spiced biscuits, the mix and biscuits are still separate ingredients.
ALDI
ALDI features standard Albona pancake mixes.
- The product information lists plain and multigrain varieties.
- If you want to add Dutch spiced biscuits, check separately which topping you’re buying.
Lidl
Lidl features Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel and includes Dutch spiced biscuits in its St Nicholas range.
- A standard pancake mix can work as a base when you add the biscuits separately.
- Check the product information and both labels for your chosen combination.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
You could consider these pancake mixes as a base if you want to add Dutch spiced biscuits separately as a topping. The products differ in features such as variety and pack size; a biscuit baking mix isn’t included in this selection.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker pack to consider if you want to make pancakes and control the biscuit topping yourself.
Pack size: 175 g. Check the pack to see what you need to add to the batter, and read the topping label too.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to use fewer extra ingredients in the batter and add the biscuits separately.
Pack size: 210 g. Follow the preparation instructions on this pack and check the labels on both the mix and topping.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A standard pancake base if you want to decide how many biscuits to add to each pancake.
Pack size: 400 g. Bear in mind the extra ingredients required by the preparation instructions, and check the topping label too.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A multigrain variety to consider if you want to add Dutch spiced biscuits as a topping yourself.
Pack size: 400 g. Read the preparation instructions and check the ingredients in this mix and in the separate biscuits.
Image unavailable
Xiaoyeqingzhu pancake mix with milk flavour, 100 g
A pancake base to consider if you want to add the biscuits separately; milk flavour isn’t the same as Dutch spiced biscuit flavour.
Pack size: 100 g. Check the preparation instructions and the latest labels on both the mix and topping.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a standard pancake mix with Dutch spiced biscuits?
Yes, if you add the biscuits separately as a topping. Koopmans shows this combination in a recipe for St Nicholas pancakes; the mix itself doesn’t automatically have a Dutch spiced biscuit flavour.
Which mix should I choose if I want to add fewer ingredients?
Look for a complete mix whose packaging says that it only needs water. According to Koopmans, this applies to Pannenkoeken Compleet, while Pannenkoeken Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter.
Should I check both packages for allergens?
Yes, check both the pancake mix and the Dutch spiced biscuits you’re using. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods; use the latest packaging to check.
Can I rely on the same Dutch spiced biscuit baking mix being available throughout the St Nicholas season?
Check the specific pack when you want to buy it. Jumbo reported that a Koopmans Dutch spiced biscuit pack was no longer part of its online range; that doesn’t tell you what’s available from other shops or in different packaging.