An open Halloween snack table
If guests will help themselves from a plate or alongside their coffee, a sharing pack is practical. Don’t just look at the pack weight; check the stated number of biscuits or portions too.
Which pack is best for you?
Handing out biscuits to guests
For treats at the door or in a goodie bag, individually wrapped biscuits are easier to portion out in advance. Check what type of biscuit you’re buying: Lotus Biscoff is speculoos, which is a different product category from speculaas.
Guests with allergies or dietary requirements
Before you buy, ask which ingredients matter to your guests. Then check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging for each variant you choose, even if it’s labelled gluten-free or vegan.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether guests will help themselves or take a treat home. Then choose a pack to suit your guest list and any dietary requirements you’ve checked in advance.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out or sharing | Compare individually wrapped biscuits, twin packs and open sharing packs. Check how many biscuits are in each pack. | At the door, I want to be able to give every guest a treat easily; for around 29% of consumers, how the biscuits are handed out is the top priority. |
| Diet and allergens | Ask about relevant dietary requirements and read the ingredients, allergens and warnings for the exact variant. | If a guest has an allergy or needs to eat gluten-free, I want to know which separate product is suitable; this is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of biscuits or stated portions, and think about where the biscuits will sit on the table. | With several snacks on the table, I want to match the amount of speculaas to my guest list; this matters most to around 24% of consumers. |
| Storing leftovers | Check the storage instructions on the pack and think about how you’ll reseal it once opened. | If there are leftovers after the party, I want to be able to store the biscuits properly; this is the main priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming vegan means allergen-free
A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. The original Lotus Biscoff biscuits described here contain wheat, gluten and soya.
Only rely on a vegan label for that specific dietary requirement, and check allergens separately on the packaging.
-
Assuming gluten-free means suitable for every allergy
The Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas described here contains egg. The product information also warns that it may contain, among other things, almonds, hazelnuts, milk, sesame and walnuts.
Ask which allergens are relevant, read the current label and keep any separate treat clearly apart from the regular biscuits.
-
Comparing pack weight alone
Jumbo lists around 48 portions for its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas and around 12 portions for its 375 g Speculaasbrokken. So the weight alone doesn’t tell you how many portions the pack is intended to serve.
Compare the number of biscuits, stated portion size and your serving plan before choosing how much to buy.
-
Leaving an opened pack unsealed
Biscuits can lose quality once opened. This is especially inconvenient if you want to serve a large pack over several rounds.
Top up the plate in smaller batches. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container; follow the instructions on the packaging too.
Brands and ranges to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff offers speculoos in a range of pack sizes, including a 250 g pack and packs containing 10 × 2 or 20 × 2 biscuits. Speculoos is a different product name from speculaas, so check that it’s right for your treat.
- Albert Heijn also lists a pack of 300 individually wrapped Lotus biscuits, making them easy to hand out to guests.
- The original biscuits described here contain wheat, gluten and soya. If you have allergies, always check the variant you choose.
Jumbo / Lekker Kiezen
The Jumbo range described here includes 600 g Bakkers Speculaas, 375 g Speculaasbrokken and a separate 125 g gluten-free variant.
- Jumbo lists around 48 portions for the Bakkers Speculaas and around 12 for the Speculaasbrokken. These figures can help you plan a plate or buffet.
- The gluten-free variant described here contains egg and carries warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. Check each variant separately.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a Lotus speculoos pack containing 300 individually wrapped biscuits. This size is particularly useful if you want to prepare lots of individual treats.
- Individual wrappers make it easy to portion biscuits out for each guest in advance.
- Check the product name and current label when you buy: a pack of speculoos isn’t necessarily the speculaas you’re looking for.
Speculaas for your Halloween party at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How much speculaas do I need for my Halloween party?
Use the number of biscuits or stated portions as a starting point, then decide whether speculaas will be the main treat or one of several snacks. Jumbo lists around 48 portions for 600 g of Bakkers Speculaas, compared with around 12 portions for 375 g of Speculaasbrokken; these are different serving styles.
Can I give regular speculaas to guests with an allergy?
Don’t choose a regular variant for someone with an allergy without checking first. Ask which allergens are relevant and read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging you actually buy; regular variants may contain wheat or gluten, for example.
Is gluten-free speculaas free from other allergens too?
No. A gluten-free label tells you nothing about other allergens. The Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas described here contains egg and may also contain, among other things, almonds, hazelnuts, milk, sesame and walnuts.
How should I store leftover speculaas after the party?
Store opened biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Top up a plate as needed rather than leaving the whole pack open, and follow any specific storage instructions on the packaging.