Hosting several guests
You want to share speculaas, so you’re checking the pack size and how much you’ll need for the evening.
Which option is right for you?
Celebrating with a different biscuit
You’re choosing between plain speculaas, a filled variety and speculoos, depending on the flavour and presentation you’re after.
Checking ingredients
Before serving, you want to check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of your chosen variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which type of speculaas you’d like to serve and how much you’ll need. Then check the ingredients on the specific pack, particularly if any of your guests have a food allergy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Check the weight in grams and decide whether one pack will be enough for your group. | If lots of guests are coming, I want to put out enough plain biscuits without running short halfway through the evening. For around 33% of consumers, quantity comes first. |
| How it’s served | Check whether you’re buying individual biscuits, chunks or filled speculaas, and whether that format suits the occasion. | For a short coffee break, I want to offer something without having lots left over. Around 27% of consumers give serving convenience top priority. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what I’m serving. For around 20% of consumers, checking ingredients is their main concern. |
| Flavour and variety | Choose between plain speculaas, filled speculaas, almond speculaas and speculoos; they’re not all the same type of biscuit. | For this St Nicholas’ Eve celebration, I specifically want to serve a particular filling or speculoos flavour. Around 20% of consumers put this preference first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small pack contains enough biscuits
The pack weight tells you how much speculaas you can share; the size of the packaging alone doesn’t tell you much.
Check the weight in grams and choose an amount that suits your group.
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Treating filled speculaas as the same type of biscuit
Filled speculaas has a different composition and serving format from plain baker’s speculaas. Almond may also be a concern for guests who need to avoid it.
First choose the type you’d like to serve, then check the label for that variety.
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Assuming the label is the same for every variety
Ingredients and warnings can vary between plain, filled and gluten-free speculaas.
Before serving, read the label on the pack you’ve actually bought, even if you’ve used a similar variety before.
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Relying on a seasonal product without an alternative
ALDI says that promotional products can sell out quickly due to high demand. This can make a particular variety difficult to find when you do your shopping.
Check what’s available shortly beforehand and consider which other type of speculaas would suit your group.
Comparing brands and retailers
Check the exact variety offered by each brand or retailer: plain baker’s speculaas, filled speculaas and speculoos aren’t necessarily interchangeable.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells its own speculaas in different formats, including baker’s speculaas, chunks and filled varieties.
- The range of formats makes it possible to choose a type that suits the occasion.
- Check whether the specific variety you’re looking for is still available; ranges can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain baker’s speculaas and almond varieties, among other options.
- You can choose between a plain biscuit and a variety containing almond.
- If anyone has dietary restrictions, check the label on the pack you’ve chosen; ingredients vary between varieties.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is speculoos. Lotus Bakeries describes Original Speculoos as a crunchy biscuit.
- A familiar speculoos option if you specifically want to serve this type of biscuit.
- Speculoos isn’t the same product as plain or filled speculaas; check the ingredients on your chosen pack, too.
ALDI
ALDI includes filled speculaas in its St Nicholas’ range, among other products.
- An option to consider if you’re specifically looking for a filled variety for the celebration.
- According to ALDI, promotional products can sell out quickly due to high demand; check availability at your local store.
Speculaas options on Joybuy
These two packs suit different occasions: plain baker’s speculaas to share, and almond speculaas if you’re specifically looking for that variety. Compare the pack sizes and check the label if anyone has dietary restrictions.
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De Ruiter Baker’s Speculaas 450 g
Plain baker’s speculaas to serve with coffee or tea.
450 g pack. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before serving.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas 400 g
An almond speculaas variety for anyone who specifically wants to serve this type with coffee or tea.
400 g pack. If anyone has dietary restrictions, check the label on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how much speculaas I need for St Nicholas’ Eve?
Check the pack size and think about how you’d like to serve the biscuits. A pack of plain baker’s speculaas may suit a gathering with several guests; for a smaller occasion, you could consider a different format.
Is gluten-free speculaas also free from other allergens?
No. ‘Gluten-free’ on its own says nothing about other allergens. Check the other ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on each specific pack.
Which ingredients should I check in speculaas?
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you want to serve. Wheat, almond and other relevant ingredients can vary between types; according to the Voedingscentrum, checking label information is important if you have a food allergy.
How should I store an opened pack of speculaas?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal the biscuits carefully after opening. For the speculaas variety listed, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening.