If you’re serving a larger group
If several people are joining you, a larger pack of bakers’ speculaas makes it easier to put out enough biscuits. Also consider whether you’ll use the rest of the pack.
Which option is right for you?
If you’re looking for a particular style of biscuit
If you’d like a crisp speculoos biscuit with your coffee or tea alongside the oliebollen, the Biscoff style described by Lotus may be just what you’re after. That’s a different consideration from pack size alone.
If you’d also like to bake speculaas
A speculaas mix is for an extra baking project, not something you can serve straight away with oliebollen. Allow time for preparation and check which additional ingredients you’ll need.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want speculaas that’s ready to serve or whether you’d also like to bake. Then choose the product type, pack size and any particular flavour that suits the occasion.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with the number of people you’re serving, and think about what you’ll do with any leftover biscuits. | When I’m putting something out with oliebollen for several people, I want enough biscuits without having lots left over. Getting the quantity right is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ready to serve | Check that you’re choosing ready-made speculaas rather than a baking mix. | While the oliebollen are frying, I want to be able to serve the biscuits without any extra preparation. Convenience is the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour and product type | Check whether it’s bakers’ speculaas, speculoos or another variety. | With coffee or tea, I’m looking for a particular style of biscuit, not just any variety. Around 21% of consumers say this preference matters most to them. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the exact pack before serving the biscuits to your guests. | If I need to take a food allergy into account, I want to know which ingredients are in that particular variety. For around 14% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a seasonal product will be available
ALDI lists its Heerlijk Banket Speculaasbrokken as unavailable. So a product page doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to buy that variety.
Check availability at the shop you plan to visit, and decide in advance which other type of speculaas would also work.
This helps you avoid making an extra trip for an unavailable product.
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Confusing speculaas mix with ready-made biscuits
A mix still needs to be prepared. It’s less suitable if you want to serve biscuits straight away while the oliebollen are frying.
Choose ready-made speculaas if you want something you can serve immediately. If you’d also like to bake speculaas, check the instructions and see which extra ingredients you’ll need.
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Relying on an outdated online ingredients list
Ingredients can change. Albert Heijn points out that allergen information can also vary from one product to another.
If you have a food allergy, read the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label.
Brands to consider
These brands offer a range of product types: a large pack of bakers’ speculaas, a mix for home baking and a specific speculoos variety.
Biscotto
ALDI lists Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas in a 600 g pack, available to buy in store.
- The pack size could work well if you’re serving biscuits to several people.
- Check that the pack is right for the number of people you’re serving, and consider what you’ll do with any leftovers.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both 600 g Bakkers Speculaas and a separate 400 g Mix voor Speculaas.
- You can choose between ready-made biscuits and a product for home baking.
- The mix needs to be prepared, so check which ingredients you’ll need.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s speculaas range includes AH Bakkers speculaas and varieties made with butter.
- The different varieties give you a choice of product type and pack size.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the variety you choose.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus describes Biscoff as a crisp biscuit with a distinctive flavour.
- An option if you’re specifically looking to serve this brand’s style of biscuit with coffee or tea.
- Biscoff biscuits are a different product type from a pack of bakers’ speculaas or a speculaas mix.
Speculaas products on Joybuy
These ready-made speculaas biscuits are ideal for serving alongside oliebollen. Choose a pack size and variety to suit your group; a baking mix requires a different kind of preparation.
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Hellema Smoeltjes speculaas biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g
A ready-made option if you’d like to serve individual biscuits alongside the oliebollen.
The pack contains 8 biscuits and weighs 200 g. Consider whether that’s enough for the number of people you’re serving, and if anyone has an allergy, check the label on the exact pack.
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De Ruiter Bakkersspeculaas, 450 g
Ready-made bakers’ speculaas to serve with oliebollen or alongside coffee and tea.
The pack weighs 450 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and any warnings on the label.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas, 400 g
A ready-made almond variety if this is the type of speculaas you’d like to serve.
The pack weighs 400 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; product listings differ on whether it contains soya, among other things.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergens in speculaas every time?
Yes. If anyone you’re serving has a food allergy, check the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label. Ingredients can vary between varieties and change over time.
Is gevulde speculaas unsuitable for someone with a nut allergy?
You can’t tell from the word ‘filled’ alone. Before buying, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product rather than relying on its name or picture.
When should I choose Biscoff rather than bakers’ speculaas?
Choose Biscoff if you specifically want to serve the biscuit Lotus describes as crisp and distinctive in flavour. If you’re mainly looking for a larger pack of ready-made biscuits for several people, check the pack size of bakers’ speculaas too.