Which option is right for you?

Organising a sharing occasion

If several people will be getting a treat, a pack of biscuits to share is more practical than a single personal gift. Consider how many biscuits or portions you’ll need and how to store an opened pack.

Choosing a personal Sinterklaas gift

A chocolate letter may be a better fit if you’re buying for one person. Choose speculaas only if the recipient would particularly enjoy biscuits or the flavour of speculaas.

Buying for someone with an allergy

If you’re handing out a treat to someone with an allergy, the ingredients and any precautionary allergen statements on that specific product are what matter. Check the packaging itself, not just the brand name or product category.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide whether you want to hand out treats or give one person a gift. Then check the ingredients and choose an amount that suits the occasion.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sharing or giving a gift Check the net weight and number of pieces. Choose between a sharing pack of biscuits and a gift for one person. Do I want to treat several people, or is one recipient the focus? Around 33% of consumers prioritise the choice between sharing and giving a personal gift.
Allergens and ingredients Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any precautionary allergen statements on the exact product packaging. If a recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular product. For around 42% of consumers, checking this is the top priority.
Quantity and storage Compare the pack size with the number of people eating, and check the best-before date and storage instructions. I want to have enough ready without being left with an awkwardly large pack of leftovers; around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable size and storage.

Common mistakes

  • Treating speculaas and chocolate as the same kind of gift

    A pack of biscuits to share serves a different purpose from a chocolate letter for one recipient. The fact that both are associated with Sinterklaas doesn’t make them interchangeable.

    Decide whether you’re handing out treats, giving a personal gift or doing both. Then choose the right type of product.

  • Assuming allergen information is the same across a category

    Ingredients vary from product to product: Lotus Biscoff lists wheat and soya in the ingredients for its Original Speculoos, while specific speculaas products from Albert Heijn and Jumbo state that they may contain traces of almonds or nuts.

    If someone has an allergy, always read the label on the pack you’re actually giving them, including any precautionary allergen statements.

  • Counting on a seasonal product without checking

    Albert Heijn lists some chocolate letters as in-store products. ALDI warns that special-offer products can sell out quickly when demand is high.

    Check where the product you want is available shortly before buying, and have an alternative in mind that suits the same gift or sharing occasion.

  • Choosing a large pack without a plan for leftovers

    Any biscuits left after sharing need to be stored according to the instructions on the packaging.

    Choose a pack size to suit the number of people eating, and follow the storage advice for your chosen product once it’s opened.

Brands and shops to consider

Lotus Biscoff

An option if you’re looking for packs of speculoos biscuits rather than a chocolate gift.

  • Lotus Biscoff lists wheat and soya among the ingredients for Original Speculoos.
  • Check the ingredients for each variety; this information doesn’t automatically apply to every product from the brand.

Albert Heijn

Offers both bakers’ speculaas and chocolate letters: two different options for sharing and gift-giving.

  • AH Bakers’ Speculaas is listed in a 600 g pack.
  • Albert Heijn advises customers to check the packaging, as product information can change. Some chocolate letters are listed as available in-store only.

Jumbo

Lists bakers’ speculaas in 450 g and 600 g packs.

  • For Echte Bakkers Speculaas 450 g, Jumbo lists wheat and possible traces of nuts.
  • This allergen information applies to this specific product; check other varieties separately.

Lidl

Lists 600 g of bakers’ speculaas as a pack of biscuits for sharing.

  • The product description mentions crisp speculaas biscuits.
  • Lidl doesn’t provide online ingredients and allergen lists for food products, so check the packaging if the ingredients are important.

ALDI

Lists both plain bakers’ speculaas and a separate filled speculaas variety.

  • ALDI lists 48 biscuits in Biscotto Bakers’ Speculaas 600 g, and almonds and almond paste in its filled speculaas, sold in a 2 x 250 g pack.
  • Filled speculaas isn’t the same product as plain bakers’ speculaas. Check current availability for seasonal products too.

Speculaas products at Joybuy

These packs of biscuits are a good fit for an occasion when you want to hand out speculaas. If you’re looking for a personal chocolate gift, you’ll need to choose a different type of product.

Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g

Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g

A pack of biscuits to consider if you’re looking to hand out speculaas on a sharing occasion.

The product name states that the pack contains 8 pieces and weighs 200 g. If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, check the label on the exact pack.

View at Joybuy
De Ruiter Bakers’ Speculaas, 450 g

De Ruiter Bakers’ Speculaas, 450 g

A pack of bakers’ speculaas to consider if you’re looking for biscuits for a group.

The product name states that it weighs 450 g. If individual portions are important, check the packaging; if anyone has an allergy, read the label too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is speculaas the same as a chocolate letter?

No. Speculaas is a spiced biscuit, while a chocolate letter is chocolate shaped like a letter. A pack of biscuits may be a good choice for handing out, while a chocolate letter is more suited to one recipient. Combine them only if you want to give both types of product.

How do I check for allergens when handing out speculaas?

Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any precautionary allergen statements on the exact packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on mandatory allergen labelling; relevant ingredients and warnings vary by product.

Is an online product description enough if someone has an allergy?

Use it as a starting point, then compare the information with the packaging before handing out the product. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. Lidl doesn’t provide a complete online list of ingredients for its food products.

How should I store the treats before the parade?

Follow the date and storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. For the speculaas products mentioned, Albert Heijn and Jumbo advise storing them in a cool, dry place in a sealed pack. For chocolate or another variety, follow the instructions on its own label.