Home bakers who like to decorate
If you want the aniseed sprinkles and presentation to stand out, a plain mix gives you more freedom to choose your own topping than a mix with a pronounced speculoos flavour.
Which approach suits you?
Organisers of a quick treat
If you’re baking for visitors and want to keep the ingredients list short, look for a complete mix. The complete mixes described from Koopmans and PLUS call for water and frying fat; a plain mix may also require milk and eggs.
Hosts keeping an eye on allergens
If you need to take gluten, milk, eggs or possible cross-contamination into account, check what’s relevant for your guest and read the packaging for both the mix and the toppings.
What should you look for when choosing?
For pancakes served with rusks and aniseed sprinkles, the role you want the topping to play will guide your flavour choice. Then check what you’ll need to make the mix and how many pancakes you want to bake. If you’re catering for an allergy, start with the label.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Check whether the mix is plain or already flavoured, for example with speculoos, and choose a topping to match. | I want to decide how much prominence the aniseed sprinkles have in the treat. Around 31% of consumers put this choice of flavour and presentation first. |
| Convenience when baking | Read which liquid and frying fat you’ll need; complete and plain mixes may differ. | If visitors let me know they’re coming at short notice, I don’t want to have to arrange milk and eggs as well. For around 31% of consumers, minimal preparation is the top priority. |
| Yield and ingredients | Compare the pack weight, stated yield and ingredients you’ll need to add yourself. | I’m baking for several guests and want to know whether one pack will be enough. Around 23% of consumers prioritise a suitable yield and having everything they need to achieve it. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack you buy. | If a guest has a specific dietary restriction, I first need to know whether the mix and preparation are suitable. Around 15% of consumers make this their first consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Using a flavoured mix as a plain base
According to product information from Koopmans and Albert Heijn, Koopmans Speculoos contains pieces of speculoos and has a caramelised flavour. With aniseed sprinkles, that flavour will be more pronounced than it would be with a plain mix.
If you want the topping to set the theme, choose a plain base. If you opt for a flavoured mix, try the combination on one pancake first.
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Comparing packs alone
According to PLUS, PLUS Naturel requires milk, eggs and frying fat; with the complete mixes described from PLUS and Koopmans, you add water and frying fat. The stated yield may also vary from pack to pack.
Before you buy, work out how many pancakes you want to make and include any extra ingredients you’ll need in your comparison.
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ answers every allergen question
A gluten-free mix isn’t necessarily free from milk or eggs too. The preparation instructions PLUS lists for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij call for both ingredients.
Ask which dietary restriction your guest has, then check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging of the product you choose.
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Mistaking a flavour variation for a limited edition
A distinctive flavour doesn’t tell you how long a mix will be available. A product page may also show a different sales channel than you expect: Lidl says its Belbake mix is only available in store.
If a limited edition is important to your choice, look for a clear, current statement from the manufacturer or shop and check where you can buy the product.
Brands and shops to explore
Koopmans
The range includes original, complete, flavoured and gluten-free pancake mixes. Check the preparation instructions and consider how each flavour will pair with aniseed sprinkles.
- Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; Albert Heijn lists instructions for making Koopmans Complete with 700 ml of water.
- The different varieties don’t all require the same extra ingredients. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for each pack.
PLUS
PLUS offers both a plain and a complete own-brand mix. The difference is mainly practical: whether or not you want to add milk and eggs.
- According to PLUS, Complete requires 700 ml of water and frying fat; PLUS says Naturel requires milk, eggs and frying fat.
- Using water in the preparation doesn’t, by itself, tell you which allergens are in the mix. Check the label for the variety you choose.
ALDI / Albona
Albona offers a multigrain mix and a plain variety through ALDI, among other options, so you can compare the type of mix and the ingredients you’ll need.
- ALDI describes a 400 g multigrain mix and lists milk and eggs in the preparation instructions for its plain variety.
- For a specific purchase, check the packaging, preparation instructions and availability in store.
Lidl / Belbake
Belbake Original is a shop option if you’re looking for a traditional pancake mix.
- For its 400 g pack, Lidl states a yield of around 12 pancakes.
- Lidl says it’s only available in store. Check the pack there if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is included here as a shop to explore for Koopmans Complete, Koopmans Speculoos and rusks; this doesn’t mean those products come as one package.
- The product information lets you compare the water-based preparation for Complete with the speculoos flavour of the flavoured variety.
- Check the current packaging and product information when you buy, especially if ingredients or allergens are important.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes suit two ways of preparing a treat: choose an original base to decorate yourself, or a complete mix if you want to keep preparation simple. Compare the contents and check the pack for exact preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
For anyone looking for a complete mix who wants to choose their own celebratory topping.
Contents: 210 g. Check how many pancakes you want to make and which ingredients the packaging says you need to add.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
An original pancake base that lets you decide how prominent the aniseed sprinkles should be.
Contents: 400 g. Before you start baking, check how much milk, how many eggs or how much frying fat you’ll need for this pack.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker option for a small treat, with a topping of your choice.
Contents: 175 g. If you’re baking for several guests, check how much milk you’ll need and the stated yield.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix should I choose if I want the aniseed sprinkles to take centre stage?
Choose a plain or original mix if you want to control the flavour of the topping. Koopmans and Albert Heijn describe Speculoos as a mix with pieces of speculoos and a caramelised flavour, so bear that in mind when serving it with aniseed sprinkles.
Which mix requires few extra ingredients?
The complete mixes described from Koopmans and PLUS require water and frying fat. According to the preparation instructions, PLUS Naturel also requires milk and eggs; always check the instructions on the pack you buy.
Can I rely on a product name to check for allergens?
No. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label; also check the ingredients you add during preparation.
Is a gluten-free mix also free from milk and eggs?
Not automatically. The preparation instructions PLUS lists for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij call for milk and eggs. Check separately which ingredients and allergens are relevant for your guest.