Which product format is right for you?

Home baker looking to spice up the batter

You want to add speculaas flavour with a measured spice blend, without also mixing crumbled biscuits into the batter.

Host looking for something to share

You’re looking for speculaas biscuits to serve with coffee or alongside the oliebollen. The biscuits don’t need to be an ingredient in the batter.

Baker who puts allergen checks first

You check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific packaging before using a spice mix, biscuits or sprinkles.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to add flavour to the batter, serve biscuits or find a topping. Then compare the amount you need and check the label on the product you choose.

Speculaas spice mix

Choose this: if you want to mix spices into your oliebollen batter without deliberately adding biscuits.

Bear in mind: blends vary from product to product, and the amount you use for oliebollen should suit your recipe.

Speculaas biscuits

Choose this: if you want to serve biscuits alongside the oliebollen, or your recipe specifically calls for biscuit crumbs.

Bear in mind: biscuits contain more than spices, so they’re not a like-for-like substitute for a spice mix in batter.

Speculaas biscuit sprinkles

Choose this: if you’re looking for a visible addition or topping made with speculaas crumbs.

Bear in mind: sprinkles aren’t a concentrated spice mix, so check the ingredients before adding them to a recipe.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Product format for batter Check that the product is a speculaas spice mix and that its ingredients suit your recipe. If I mainly want to spice the batter, I don’t want to add biscuit ingredients without realising it. For around 45% of consumers, the product format comes first.
Quantity and leftovers Compare the net weight with the amount in your recipe and check the storage instructions. If I’m only baking once, I don’t want a large pack to go unused. Around 33% of consumers say the quantity they need is their top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in the product I’ve chosen before using it. Checking the label comes first for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating biscuits, sprinkles and spice mix as interchangeable

    As well as spices, biscuits and sprinkles may contain flour, sugar and oil. Adding them to batter changes more than just the flavour.

    Choose a spice mix if your recipe calls for speculaas spices. Use crumbs or sprinkles when the recipe specifies that format, or serve the biscuits separately.

  • Assuming you need a large pack of biscuits for one batch

    Multipacks of biscuits aren’t necessarily suitable for the amount of spice an oliebollen recipe calls for. A larger pack makes sense mainly if you also want to serve the biscuits or use them later.

    First check which product format and quantity your recipe specifies. Then choose a pack that suits your plans.

  • Relying on the online product description alone

    Ingredients and allergens can be particularly important when choosing biscuits and sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.

    Before using the product, check the ingredients list, allergen information, best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging you have.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Euroma

Euroma Speculaaskruiden is a 35 g spice mix intended for baking, among other uses.

  • Euroma lists cinnamon, coriander seed, aniseed, ginger and lemon peel among the ingredients in this mix, and describes this variant as having no added salt.
  • The product information doesn’t specify a set quantity for oliebollen, so follow your recipe.

Verstegen

Verstegen Mix voor Koek & Speculaas is available as a 34 g spice blend in a glass shaker.

  • For this variant, Verstegen lists cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, ginger and orange peel among the ingredients.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack; the composition of this blend doesn’t tell you anything about other Verstegen products.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos are ready-to-eat biscuits for serving, not a speculaas spice mix.

  • You can serve the biscuits alongside the oliebollen without changing the batter recipe.
  • The ingredients listed for these biscuits by Albert Heijn include wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oils and soya flour. Don’t use the biscuits as a direct substitute for speculaas spices, and check the current label.

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Frequently asked questions

How much speculaas spice should I use for oliebollen?

Follow the quantity in your own oliebollen recipe. Albert Heijn suggests 1–2 tablespoons of speculaas spices for a general baking recipe, but this isn’t a set quantity for oliebollen.

Can I use Lotus Biscoff instead of speculaas spices?

Not as a like-for-like substitute in oliebollen batter. The Lotus Biscoff biscuits described by Albert Heijn contain wheat flour, sugar and vegetable oils, among other ingredients, as well as cinnamon. Serve the biscuits separately or use crumbs only if your recipe takes them into account.

Where can I check allergens in speculaas products?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you’re going to use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Don’t assume what a product contains based on its category alone.

How should I store an opened speculaas spice mix?

Follow the storage instructions on the label of your mix. For the Euroma Speculaaskruiden described here, the advice is to store them in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the pack too.