Choose filled speculaas with almond paste or an almond variety if you want to finish your drinks get-together with something closer to a small dessert. For crunchy biscuits that are easy to share, baker’s speculaas and speculoos are better choices. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety, and if you’re choosing a seasonal product, make sure it will be available when you need it.
The way you want to serve it makes all the difference: a filled biscuit or an almond variety gives your drinks spread a different feel from loose, crunchy speculaas.
If you’d like to serve something sweet after the savoury nibbles, consider filled speculaas with almond paste or an almond variety. Check the specific pack to see exactly what filling or added ingredients it contains.
For a plate of biscuits alongside coffee or tea, baker’s speculaas and speculoos are alternatives to a filled biscuit. Check the shape and pack size, especially if you want to keep any leftovers.
A vegan label doesn’t tell you which allergens a product contains. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety, even if you’ve bought that speculaas before.
First decide whether you want a dessert-style biscuit or something crunchy to share. Then check that your chosen variety suits your guests and will be available in time.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert-style presentation | Check whether the product contains almond paste or almonds, and how you can serve it. | If I want to serve something sweet after the drinks and nibbles, I look specifically for a filling or an almond accent. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this kind of presentation. |
| Crunchy biscuits to share | Compare individual biscuits with chunks, the pack size and the storage instructions. | For an informal get-together, I want biscuits that are easy to hand round and leftovers that I can store. Around 30% of consumers put this first. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. | If a guest has a specific dietary requirement or allergy, the exact variety needs to be suitable. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check whether your chosen variety is available online or in store when you plan to buy it. | If I’ve already planned the get-together, I don’t want to rely on a product that’s only part of a seasonal range or available in certain shops. That’s why around 20% of consumers prioritise availability. |
A name doesn’t tell you whether you’re getting filled speculaas, almond speculaas or a plain crunchy biscuit. The product’s shape and style determine what you can put on the drinks table.
Compare the ingredients, any filling and the serving style of the specific products. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘artisan’ does not, in itself, have a legally defined product meaning.
Allergens vary from product to product. For example, Jumbo lists almonds, egg, milk and wheat in its Amandel Speculaas, and also notes that other allergens may be present.
Check the packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen just before buying and serving it. Don’t assume it has the same ingredients as a pack you bought previously.
ALDI includes the filled speculaas we looked at in its Sinterklaas range. Lidl says the baker’s speculaas we looked at is only available in store.
Check that the product you want is available before planning your get-together around it.
A sharing pack may leave you with biscuits to put away after your get-together. AH recommends storing its baker’s speculaas in a sealed tin once opened.
Choose a pack size that suits your group, and seal any leftovers according to the storage instructions on the packaging.
These examples show the different product styles you can compare. Always check the ingredients and availability of the specific variety you want to buy.
Speculoos biscuits for anyone looking to serve individual, crunchy biscuits.
A range that includes filled speculaas, almond varieties and baker’s speculaas.
A range that includes baker’s speculaas, speculaas chunks and almond varieties.
Filled speculaas with almond paste for a dessert-style finish.
Baker’s speculaas for anyone looking for a pack of crunchy biscuits.
These products include an almond variety and crunchy biscuits to share. Choose based on how you want to serve them, and always check the current packaging if you or your guests have dietary requirements or allergies.
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An almond speculaas variety for anyone looking for that flavour on the drinks table. The pack contains 400 g; check the current allergen information before serving.
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Individual speculoos biscuits that are easy to share with coffee or tea. Joybuy Netherlands describes this 250 g pack as suitable for vegans and lists wheat flour and soya flour among the ingredients; if you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
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Baker’s speculaas in a larger pack, ideal for sharing individual biscuits. The pack contains 600 g; seal any leftovers after opening and check the allergens on the label.
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A 450 g pack of baker’s speculaas for serving alongside coffee or tea. Check the allergen information on the packaging, especially if any guests need to avoid nuts or wheat.
Filled speculaas with almond paste or an almond variety makes a good dessert-style finish. If you’d rather hand round individual biscuits, look for baker’s speculaas or speculoos. Either way, compare the ingredients and style of the variety you choose.
Seal any leftover speculaas well and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its baker’s speculaas in a sealed tin; Jumbo recommends an airtight biscuit tin for its baker’s speculaas.
No. A vegan label doesn’t mean a product is free from gluten or soya. Joybuy Netherlands describes the Lotus Biscoff speculoos we looked at as suitable for vegans, but also lists wheat flour and soya flour among the ingredients. If you have an allergy, always read the current label on the specific pack.
Don’t assume it is without checking. ALDI includes the filled speculaas we looked at in its Sinterklaas range, so check whether it’s available when you’re planning your get-together.
