Hosts on a budget
If you’re buying for several guests, first work out how much plain speculaas you’ll need. Then compare the pack sizes of similar products.
Which option is right for you?
Hosts who want to serve filled speculaas
For a coffee or dessert table, the filling may matter more than the quantity of plain biscuits. Bear in mind that filled speculaas is a different type of product from bakery speculaas.
Shoppers with an ingredient or allergen requirement
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy or need a product with a specific claim, your choice should be based on the ingredients, allergen information and claims on the exact pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether quantity, product type, label information or a particular biscuit to serve with coffee matters most. Then compare packs of the same type only.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough biscuits for your guests | Compare the weight of packs of plain bakery speculaas and decide how much you want to serve. | If I’m hosting several guests, I want enough plain speculaas without having lots left over. Around 40% of consumers put having enough for the group first. |
| Filled speculaas | Check whether you’re looking for filled speculaas, how much the pack contains and whether it’s available when you shop. | For a coffee or dessert table, I specifically want to serve speculaas with a filling. This product type is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information, any warnings and the specific claim on the exact pack. | If I need to account for an allergy or a specific claim, the label has to guide my choice. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| A particular biscuit to serve with coffee | Check whether the pack contains the speculoos you’re looking for, and read the ingredients if they’re important to you. | I specifically want to serve a familiar speculoos biscuit with coffee. Around 10% of consumers say this preference comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Automatically choosing the biggest pack
A large pack isn’t necessarily right for a small gathering or a table where you want to serve a variety of biscuits.
Work out how many guests you’re catering for first, then compare packs of the same type of speculaas.
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Assuming a seasonal product will be available for New Year’s Eve
ALDI lists the filled speculaas shown as part of its St Nicholas range. That doesn’t guarantee it will be available at the end of December.
Check what’s available shortly before you shop, and choose an alternative in advance that you can serve instead.
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Relying on a product name to check for allergens
A product name or online description is no substitute for the label. Albert Heijn warns that online product information, including ingredients and allergens, may change.
If someone has an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed foods must appear on the label.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn stocks both its own-brand bakery speculaas and other varieties of speculaas.
- The AH Bakkers speculaas shown comes in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredient and allergy information may change, so check the pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks plain bakery speculaas as well as a separate speculaas chunk product labelled gluten-free.
- Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas is listed in a 600 g pack; the separately listed Speculaas Brok Glutenvrij is 120 g.
- Check any required product claim and the allergen information on the exact pack rather than relying on the rest of the range.
ALDI
ALDI lists a 2 × 250 g pack of filled speculaas for anyone specifically looking for this type of product.
- The product listing gives you a specific pack size to match to your gathering.
- The product is part of the St Nicholas range, so check whether it’s available for New Year’s Eve.
Lidl
Lidl has product pages for bakery speculaas and butter speculaas windmill biscuits.
- The two listings can help you decide which type of product to look for.
- Check which variety is available at your chosen store.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is speculoos, a different type of product from plain or filled speculaas.
- Lotus describes its Original Speculoos as a crunchy biscuit to enjoy with coffee, among other occasions.
- Choose this option if you specifically want to serve speculoos, not as a substitute for the filled speculaas you’re looking for.
Joybuy products for a coffee break
This pick is Lotus Biscoff speculoos for anyone who specifically wants to serve these biscuits with coffee over New Year.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g
An option if you specifically want to serve speculoos with coffee. Choose an amount to suit the number of guests, and if anyone has an allergy, read the label on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare packs of speculaas with different weights?
First compare packs of the same product type, then check the weight and how much you’ll need for your guests. Plain bakery speculaas and filled speculaas don’t necessarily serve the same purpose on the table.
Should I check the speculaas label if someone has an allergy?
Yes, check the exact pack before serving the speculaas. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed foods must appear on the label. Albert Heijn also warns that online product information may change.