Hosts looking for a dessert to share
You want to serve a tart-style dessert without having to assemble it from separate components. A speculaas tart suits this kind of occasion; check how many portions the product serves.
Who are the different options suitable for?
Anyone putting together individual dessert portions
You want to serve filled speculaas pastries or mini pastries with almond paste individually, perhaps as a small tasting selection. Choose a quantity to suit your guests and check the ingredients of each variety.
Home cooks making their own speculaas dessert
You’re looking for biscuits or speculoos spread to use in a base, layer or topping. According to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff biscuits and spread can be used as dessert ingredients. You can put the full dessert together and decide on the portions yourself.
What should you consider when choosing for Christmas dinner?
First decide whether you want a complete dessert to share, individual portions or ingredients to use in your own recipe. Then check the quantity and the label on the specific product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert to share | Check whether the product is a ready-to-serve tart and how many portions you want to get from it. | If I want to put one dessert on the table, I don’t want to have to assemble separate components. For around 40% of consumers, a complete dessert to share comes first. |
| Individual portions | Check the number of pieces or the net weight, and see what filling the product contains. | For a tasting selection, I want to be able to give every guest their own pastry or mini pastry. An individual presentation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Making your own | Choose between biscuits and spread, and check the ingredients in every part of your dessert. | If I’m putting a dessert together myself, I want to decide how to use the speculaas. An estimated 30% of consumers give making their own dessert top priority. |
What should you look out for?
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Assuming ‘luxury’ is a fixed product specification
The term covers different types of product: Albert Heijn lists a luxury filled speculaas muffin, while Jumbo lists a half luxury speculaas tart. The word alone doesn’t tell you how many portions you’ll get, what the ingredients are or what the nutritional values will be.
Start by choosing the format you want to serve, then compare the product name, net weight and information on the current packaging.
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Relying on the product name alone when checking for allergens
A name that mentions almond paste or almonds is no substitute for the full ingredients list. Information about other ingredients and allergens may also be important for guests with allergies.
Ask your guests in advance which allergens they need to avoid and check the current packaging of every product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
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Comparing a small biscuit with a large filled piece
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives nutritional values for a 7 g speculaas biscuit and a large 40 g piece of filled speculaas. Because the portion sizes differ, these figures don’t necessarily tell you much when comparing two products side by side in a shop.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g on the products you’ve chosen, and also consider the portions you actually want to serve.
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Assuming seasonal products will be available without checking
Lidl says its Deluxe range returns seasonally and products are available while stocks last. ALDI warns that special-buy products can sell out faster. So a product listing isn’t a guarantee that it’ll be available for your Christmas dinner.
Check shortly before buying whether the product and your preferred delivery or collection option are available. Think in advance about another format that would work for your dinner.
Brands and supermarket ranges to explore
Lotus Biscoff
Biscuits and speculoos spread for anyone who wants to make their own dessert.
- According to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff biscuits can be used in cooking, and the spread is available in smooth and crunchy varieties.
- Biscuits or spread on their own don’t make a complete dessert. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy.
Albert Heijn
Products for individual portions, including a filled speculaas muffin and mini pastries with almond paste.
- These options let you choose between an individual pastry and several mini pastries to serve.
- Albert Heijn says product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. Use the current packaging to guide your choice.
Jumbo
A half luxury speculaas tart for sharing, and speculaas pieces with almonds as a separate product.
- The tart is a good choice for a dessert you can portion at the table; Jumbo lists the half tart as vegetarian.
- Use the information provided with the product you actually buy when checking portions, ingredients and allergens.
Lidl
Butter speculaas windmill biscuits and a seasonal Deluxe range of sweet treats.
- Lidl describes its speculaas windmills as crisp biscuits, sold in a pack of 18 weighing 350 g.
- The seasonal range doesn’t confirm which speculaas products will be available around Christmas, so check what’s on offer when you’re ready to buy.
ALDI
Filled speculaas with almonds and almond paste, alongside Biscotto baker’s speculaas.
- ALDI lists filled speculaas in a pack of 2 × 250 g, and Biscotto baker’s speculaas weighing 600 g, with 48 biscuits.
- According to ALDI, special-buy products can sell out faster. Check availability and the current packaging before planning your dessert.
Speculaas and speculoos spread on Joybuy
These products are speculaas spread and biscuits to use in a homemade dessert or serve alongside one. Before buying, decide which format suits your serving plans and the ingredients in the rest of your menu.
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Lotus Biscoff Spread 400 g
For anyone who wants to use speculoos spread in a homemade dessert; according to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff spread can be used as a dessert ingredient.
You’ll need additional ingredients and preparation to make a complete dessert. Check the current packaging for allergens.
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Lotus Biscoff Crunchy 700 g
For a homemade dessert where you’d like to use crunchy speculoos spread. Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff spread as an ingredient for desserts.
The spread isn’t a ready-made dessert, so check the ingredients and allergens in the other components too.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas 400 g
A speculaas variety to serve as a biscuit with dessert or include in your own serving plans.
If any of your guests have allergies, check the current ingredients list and allergen information before serving.
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De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas 450 g
For anyone who wants to serve speculaas biscuits alongside a dessert of their choice. Decide whether biscuits fit the way you plan to serve your Christmas dinner.
If you’re buying for guests with dietary requirements, check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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g'woon Speculaas Spread 400 g
A spreadable speculaas option to consider if you’re making your own dessert; check that it’s suitable for your recipe.
You’ll need other components to make a complete dessert. Read the current ingredients and allergen information before serving.
Frequently asked questions
What allergen information should I check when serving speculaas to guests?
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for every product you plan to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. If someone has an allergy, don’t rely on the product name or packaging from a previous purchase.
Can I compare the nutritional values of filled speculaas and a speculaas biscuit?
Yes, but compare the same quantities first, then consider your intended portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives general examples of 175 kcal and 11.3 g of sugars for a large 40 g piece of filled speculaas, and 33 kcal and 1.9 g of sugars for a 7 g speculaas biscuit. For your purchase, the values on the packaging you choose are what count.
Can I use Lotus Biscoff in a Christmas dessert?
Yes. According to Lotus Bakeries, both Biscoff biscuits and speculoos spread can be used as dessert ingredients. Choose the option that suits your recipe and check the ingredients in the whole dish, especially if you’re cooking for guests with allergies.
How should I store speculaas after buying it?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the specific product. Jumbo recommends keeping its almond speculaas pieces in a cool, dry place; don’t assume the same product-specific advice applies to a tart or other pastry.