Which mix is right for you?

Home bakers who want individual spiced biscuits

If you want small spiced biscuits from the oven, a spiced biscuit mix is designed to give you the result you’re after. In Koopmans’ recipe, the biscuits and pancakes are made separately.

Families who want spiced biscuit pancakes

To make pancakes with spiced biscuits, you’ll need pancake batter and separately baked biscuits. Check how many pancakes your chosen mix makes and what you need to add to the batter.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

If gluten, milk, eggs or other allergens are a concern for you, read the current label for each mix and topping separately. A product’s name won’t tell you which ingredients will end up in the finished dish.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to bake individual spiced biscuits or pancakes. Only then is it worth comparing flavours, ingredients and preparation.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
The finished bake Check whether the mix is for spiced biscuits baked in the oven or pancake batter cooked in a frying pan. I want to bake individual spiced biscuits, not end up with pancake batter. For around 40% of consumers, the finished bake is the main priority.
Flavour in the pancake Choose between separately baked spiced biscuits in or on the pancake and pancake mix with speculoos pieces. If I’m making pancakes for a Sinterklaas occasion, I want to decide how the spiced flavour is added. For around 30% of consumers, flavour is the main consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the mix, as well as for the biscuits and toppings. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I have to be able to assess every part of the dish. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this check.
Ease of preparation Compare the milk, eggs and cooking fat required, and check the stated yield per pack. When I’m cooking for several people, I want to know what else I need to add and how many pancakes I can make. For around 10% of consumers, this preparation is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing pancake mix with spiced biscuit mix

    The mixes are designed for different results: spiced biscuits are baked in the oven, while pancake batter is cooked in a frying pan.

    Choose spiced biscuit mix if you want individual biscuits. Use pancake mix only if pancakes are the dish you want to make.

  • Forgetting what you need to add to the mix

    The complete mixes from Koopmans and PLUS included in this comparison require water for the batter. Other mixes included in the comparison require milk and eggs.

    Read the preparation instructions for your chosen mix before you start baking, and check that you have the ingredients and cooking fat you need.

  • Mistaking a flavour name for dietary suitability

    A speculoos or wholemeal variety isn’t automatically suitable for someone with an allergy. Nor does using gluten-free pancake mix make any spiced biscuits you add gluten-free.

    Check the current labels for every component, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.

  • Assuming it’s available in every shop

    A product listed on a brand or shop website may not be stocked in every shop. Lidl states that the Belbake mix included in this comparison is only available in store.

    Check that the specific mix is available before you go shopping.

Brands compared

Compare the specific varieties within each brand: pancake mix and spiced biscuit mix are not interchangeable.

Koopmans

Koopmans makes both pancake mixes and a separate spiced biscuit mix. The brand uses both in its recipe for spiced biscuit pancakes.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the complete pancake mix included in this comparison requires water for the batter and makes around 10 pancakes.
  • The product types are not interchangeable. Check the allergens and any extra ingredients required for each variety.

AH

Albert Heijn’s range includes its own plain, complete, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.

  • You can compare varieties by the ingredients you need to add and the type of mix.
  • Read the product information for your chosen variety; the range as a whole won’t tell you which ingredients or allergens it contains.

PLUS

PLUS has complete, plain and wholemeal pancake mixes included in this comparison.

  • For the complete mix included in this comparison, PLUS lists water as the ingredient to add to the batter.
  • The plain and wholemeal mixes included in this comparison require milk and eggs. Check the instructions for the variety you buy.

Albona

Albona is ALDI’s own brand, with plain and multigrain pancake mixes in 400 g packs included in this comparison.

  • The variety name helps you distinguish between plain and multigrain mixes.
  • Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens apply to your chosen variety.

Belbake

The Belbake Original Pancake Mix from Lidl included in this comparison comes in a 400 g pack. Lidl states that it makes around 12 pancakes.

  • The stated yield helps you plan a pancake meal.
  • Lidl states that this product is only available in store. Check the current label for ingredients and allergens.

Pancake mix for this use

This pancake mix is suitable for pancakes with separately prepared spiced biscuits in or on top. To bake individual spiced biscuits, choose a spiced biscuit mix.

Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g

Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g

A base for pancakes with separately prepared spiced biscuits, not for individual biscuits baked in the oven.

Pack size: 400 g. Check the current label for preparation instructions and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pancake mix to bake individual spiced biscuits?

For individual spiced biscuits baked in the oven, choose spiced biscuit mix, not pancake mix. If you want to make spiced biscuit pancakes, you can bake the biscuits separately first, then use them in or on the pancakes, as in Koopmans’ recipe.

What do I need to add to pancake mix?

It depends on the variety. For the Koopmans complete mix included in this comparison, Albert Heijn lists water for the batter. The Koopmans speculoos mix included in the comparison requires 550 ml of milk and one egg. Remember to allow for cooking fat too, and follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.

How do I check for allergens in spiced biscuit pancakes?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information for both the pancake mix and the spiced biscuits and toppings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens that must be declared have to be clearly listed in the ingredients. Also check for any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.