Choose the size to suit the occasion: a small or portioned pack works well as a little treat, while a larger pack may be intended for sharing. Compare the weight and number of biscuits with the number of recipients, and check the allergens, best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you choose.
If you’re giving each of several people their own little treat, the number of biscuits and how they’re presented matter more than the total weight alone. Albert Heijn lists, among other things, a 124 g Lotus Biscoff snack pack and AH Zaans house-shaped speculoos with 12 biscuits. Check whether the pack you choose can also work as a standalone gift.
For a household, team or coffee break, you could consider a larger pack. Jumbo lists its 600 g Bakkers Speculaas as approximately 48 portions; ALDI states that its 600 g Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas contains 48 biscuits. Portions and biscuits are not the same measure.
If you’re unsure about the recipient’s allergies, check the information for the exact product before choosing. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label. For unwrapped speculoos, ask about the ingredients and allergens before buying.
First decide whether you’re giving something to one person or want the speculoos to be shared. Then consider the type you want and check the label of that exact product before buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size for one recipient | Compare the net weight and number of biscuits; a small pack isn’t necessarily individually wrapped. | If I’m giving individual treats, I want to know what each recipient will actually get. A suitable individual gift is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Amount for sharing | Compare the weight with the stated number of biscuits or portions; these figures don’t mean the same thing. | For a team or family, I’m looking for enough speculoos to share together. This need matters most to around 31% of consumers. |
| Type you’re looking for | Choose a specific type, such as baker’s speculoos or an almond or butter-rich variety, to suit the recipient’s preference. | If I know what someone likes, I can choose accordingly rather than relying on the packaging alone. A preference for a particular type comes first for around 19% of consumers. |
| Allergens and storage | Check the exact pack for allergens and possible traces, the best-before date and storage advice. | If I need to consider an allergy or will be giving the gift later, I want to be able to check the label in advance. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Lotus lists wheat and soya in Original Speculoos. Jumbo lists gluten and wheat as present in Bakkers Speculaas, and almonds and nuts as possible traces. Information for one variety doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Check the current label on the exact pack before buying. If there’s an allergy, don’t rely on the brand name or product photo alone.
A 600 g pack may be suitable for sharing, but its weight doesn’t tell you whether you can turn it into individual presents.
Count the recipients and check how the biscuits are packaged before choosing a size.
If you still want to hand out a large pack as individual gifts, you may need extra packaging and preparation.
There may be some time between buying the speculoos and giving it at the Christmas market. Jumbo says the best-before date for its Bakkers Speculaas is on the side of the pack.
Check the date when you buy it and follow the storage advice for the product you choose. For this speculoos, Jumbo recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and resealing the pack after opening.
Lidl says its 600 g Bakkers speculaas is only available in store. A product page doesn’t confirm that it will be in stock when you shop.
Check current availability before planning to use this specific product as your Christmas market gift.
Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists Original Speculoos in several formats, including 140 g and 250 g packs, pocket packs and multipacks.
Albert Heijn’s speculoos range includes a 124 g Lotus Biscoff snack pack, AH Zaans house-shaped speculoos with 12 biscuits and larger packs.
Jumbo lists its Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack, with approximately 48 portions.
Lidl lists, among other products, 600 g Bakkers speculaas and 350 g butter-rich speculaas windmills containing 18 biscuits.
ALDI lists 600 g Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas containing 48 biscuits.
These products give you a choice of a smaller pack, larger packs for sharing and an almond variety. If you’re buying a treat for one person, check how the biscuits are actually packaged.
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This smaller pack may suit a gift when you don’t need a large sharing pack.
The product name states 8 biscuits and 200 g. Check that the presentation works if you’re giving the biscuits out individually, and read the allergen information and best-before date on the pack.
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A 600 g pack is an option if you’re looking for speculoos to share, rather than individual gifts that are ready to hand out.
Check the pack for the number of biscuits, allergens and best-before date.
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At 450 g, this pack is worth considering for a shared coffee break.
Check the number of biscuits and how they’re presented if you’re planning to turn them into individual gifts. Also check the current label for allergens and the best-before date.
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The almond variety is an option if you know the recipient likes it; don’t assume that a flavour preference means it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
The pack states 400 g. Check the ingredients, allergens and best-before date on the pack you buy.
Yes. Check the allergens on the exact pack you’re giving, especially if the recipient has a food allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label; ingredients and possible traces can vary between varieties.
Before buying, ask the seller which allergens the unwrapped speculoos contains, especially if you’re giving it to someone else. Don’t assume it has the same ingredients as a similar pre-packed product.
Check the best-before date on the pack you buy and consider when you’ll be giving the gift. Look for the date on the pack itself; for example, Jumbo says the best-before date for its Bakkers Speculaas is on the side.
Follow the storage advice on the specific pack. For its Bakkers Speculaas, Jumbo recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and keeping the pack sealed after opening. For another variety, follow its own instructions.
