Hosting a larger group
You want to put enough speculaas on a plate without judging the quantity by the look of the pack alone. Check the net weight and think about what other snacks you’re serving.
Which option is right for you?
Looking for something festive
You’re choosing between filled biscuits, chunks and windmill-shaped speculaas. The shape or filling matters to you, even if the pack contains a different total quantity from classic bakers’ speculaas.
Sharing with someone who checks allergens
You’re sharing biscuits with someone who needs to be mindful of certain ingredients. Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the label of the exact product you’re serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose the type of speculaas you want to serve, then check whether the pack contains enough for your group. Give the label extra attention if ingredients or allergens limit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for a shared plate | Check the net weight and decide whether you need one pack or more. Jumbo and Albert Heijn each list a 600 g pack of bakers’ speculaas. | If I’m putting out biscuits for a larger group, I want to know whether one pack will be enough alongside the other snacks. Around 36% of consumers put having enough in the pack first. |
| Shape or filling | Choose between classic speculaas, chunks, windmill-shaped biscuits and filled speculaas. ALDI lists a pack of filled speculaas containing 2 x 250 g; Lidl lists 350 g packs of windmill-shaped biscuits containing 18 pieces. | For a plate that suits Sinterklaas gift-giving evening, I might prefer a familiar shape or filling to a larger standard pack. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a festive option like this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the pack you buy, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. Jumbo lists wheat and gluten in its speculaas chunks, with a warning that they may contain almonds and nuts. | If someone sharing the food needs to be mindful of ingredients, I need to check the exact biscuits before serving them. For around 21% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
| Flavour and type of biscuit | Choose between classic speculaas, a filled version and speculoos, then check what type of pack you’ll get. | I want to serve a particular type of biscuit, so I don’t choose by weight alone. The preferred flavour or type of biscuit makes the difference for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a seasonal pack contains more
A festive shape doesn’t tell you the net weight. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 600 g packs of bakers’ speculaas, while Lidl’s windmill-shaped speculaas biscuits contain 350 g and 18 pieces.
First decide what type of biscuit you want to serve, then check the net weight and, where stated, the number of pieces.
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Assuming every version contains the same allergens
Ingredients vary from product to product. For example, Jumbo lists wheat and gluten in its speculaas chunks, with a warning that they may contain almonds and nuts.
Before sharing, read the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the pack you’ve actually bought.
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Assuming a seasonal product can be delivered
Lidl says its 350 g butter speculaas windmill biscuits are only available in store. This could matter if you want your shopping delivered.
Check in good time how you can buy your chosen version, and choose a different type of product if necessary.
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Treating an online product description as the definitive label
Ingredient and allergen information can change. An earlier purchase or an online photo isn’t enough to assess the pack you’re serving.
Always use the current packaging as your guide when choosing for someone with an allergy or intolerance.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a 600 g pack of AH bakers’ speculaas and also sells butter speculaas windmill biscuits.
- The weight of the bakers’ speculaas pack helps you work out how many packs to buy for your plate.
- Albert Heijn notes that product, ingredient and allergen information can change. Check the pack you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other products, 600 g packs of bakers’ speculaas and 375 g packs of speculaas chunks.
- You can choose between a larger pack of classic speculaas and chunks as a different option for your plate.
- Jumbo’s speculaas chunks list wheat and gluten, and may contain almonds and nuts.
Lidl
Lidl lists butter speculaas windmill biscuits in a 350 g pack containing 18 pieces.
- The stated number of biscuits is useful if you want to share them around your group.
- Lidl says this product is only available in store. Check whether it’s in stock when you go shopping.
ALDI
ALDI lists a pack of filled speculaas containing 2 x 250 g, with almonds and almond paste.
- The two packs contain 500 g altogether and are a different type of product from dry bakers’ speculaas.
- As this version contains almonds, check the label if you’re sharing it with someone who needs to avoid them.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is an option if you’re specifically looking for this type of speculoos biscuit, rather than a large seasonal pack of speculaas.
- Lotus lists, among other options, a 3 x 125 g pack of Original Speculoos.
- Check the weight and ingredients label on the pack you choose. Speculoos and filled speculaas are different types of product.
Products for your table
This selection includes two packs of bakers’ speculaas and two other types of biscuits to serve. Pay particular attention to the difference in quantity: a 250 g or 300 g pack won’t necessarily serve the same purpose as a 600 g pack for a larger plate.
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g'woon Bakers Speculaas 600 g
A pack of bakers’ speculaas to share on a plate. It contains 600 g; if you have allergies, check the label on the pack you buy.
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De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas 450 g
Bakers’ speculaas to share if a 450 g pack suits your group. Consider the other snacks to decide whether one pack will be enough, and check the packaging if you have allergies.
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Bolletje Ball of Shaking Bellies Speculaas 300 g
A smaller pack of speculaas to serve alongside other snacks. It contains 300 g; check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g
Speculoos for anyone who specifically wants this type of biscuit rather than classic or filled speculaas. The pack contains 250 g; check the label before sharing, especially if anyone in your group needs to avoid wheat or soya.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if one pack will be enough for Sinterklaas evening?
Check the net weight and what else you’re serving. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 600 g packs of bakers’ speculaas; ALDI’s pack of filled speculaas contains 2 x 250 g. How much you need depends on your group and the other snacks.
How do I compare packs of different sizes?
First compare the quantity of the same type of biscuit, then decide whether you’d prefer to serve a different shape or filling. A 600 g pack of classic bakers’ speculaas and a pack of filled speculaas containing 2 x 250 g differ not only in total weight, but also in product type.
How do I keep opened speculaas crisp?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal opened biscuits well. Jumbo recommends storing its bakers’ speculaas in an airtight biscuit tin after opening; Albert Heijn advises keeping its bakers’ speculaas in a sealed tin.
Where can I check for allergens when sharing speculaas?
Read the ingredients list and any allergen warnings on the pack you’re actually serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that prepacked foods must declare 14 allergens. Don’t assume another version or a pack you bought previously has the same ingredients.