Packaged sugar-free speculoos or speculaas biscuits are a good fit for a buffet if you want ready-to-serve portions with a label guests can check. Baking them yourself gives you more control over the ingredients and size, but takes time to prepare; speculoos spread is only suitable if you’re serving something you can spread it on. Whichever option you choose, check the carbohydrates, polyols, allergens and portion size too: sugar-free doesn’t mean carbohydrate-free or calorie-free.
You want to offer a speculaas option with a low sugar content on the label, without presenting the biscuits as something guests can eat without limit. Céréal’s nutritional information shows why it’s still important to check the rest of the label.
If you’re mindful of carbohydrates and portions, the sugar-free label doesn’t tell you enough. Diabetesvereniging Nederland points out that the type of carbohydrates matters too.
You want guests to be able to check which ingredients are in each biscuit. Product information from Jumbo and Plein.nl lists almonds and several other allergens in the biscuits discussed here.
Choose this if: you want to serve individual biscuits without baking, and let guests check the label.
Bear in mind: the Céréal and Damhert biscuits mentioned contain several allergens and polyols.
Choose this if: you want to decide on the ingredients, shape and portion size yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need preparation time and oven space; Jumbo’s recipe takes around 45 minutes to bake.
Choose this if: you’re already serving bread, crackers or a dessert that would work with a spread.
Bear in mind: spread isn’t a substitute for a crunchy biscuit; De Online Drogist warns that excessive use of Damhert spread may have a laxative effect.
First decide which type of product you want to serve at your buffet. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of your chosen product or recipe.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and carbohydrates | Compare sugars, total carbohydrates and polyols per 100 g, and check the portion size. | I want to offer a biscuit with a low stated sugar content, while also being able to assess how many carbohydrates a portion contains. For around 40% of consumers, this is likely to be the main concern. |
| Format and preparation | Choose between individual biscuits, a homemade batch and spread; if you’re baking, allow enough time. | If the oven is already in use on Boxing Day, I want something I can put out without having to bake at the last minute. Ease of serving is likely to be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and polyols | Read the latest ingredient and allergen information, and check which sweeteners the product contains. | I want to be able to show guests the packaging so they can decide for themselves whether the ingredients are suitable for them. For around 30% of consumers, this is likely to be their main concern. |
Céréal Nederland lists 0.4 g of sugars in its almond speculoos, but also 62 g of carbohydrates and 404 kcal per 100 g. So the claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you the whole nutritional story.
Check the carbohydrates, fat, energy, polyols and portion size on the label too.
Jumbo lists almonds, wheat, barley, eggs, milk and soya among the ingredients in the Céréal biscuits. The Damhert biscuits described by Plein.nl also contain several allergens.
Check the current packaging before serving and keep it available for guests to read.
Céréal Nederland lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g of speculoos. De Online Drogist lists the same amount for Damhert Sugar-Free Speculoos Spread and warns that excessive use of the spread may have a laxative effect.
Make the portion size clear, and let guests check the product information for themselves if their tolerance to sweeteners is a consideration.
Céréal makes sugar-free speculoos with almond pieces; Jumbo lists a 110 g pack containing 2 × 5 biscuits.
Damhert makes both sugar-free almond speculaas biscuits and sugar-free speculoos spread. The spread works as part of a buffet where you can serve it on something, but it isn’t a replacement for a biscuit.
No. Céréal Nederland lists 0.4 g of sugars, 62 g of carbohydrates and 404 kcal per 100 g for its almond speculoos. So check the full nutritional information and the portion size.
Don’t present it as a suitable choice for every guest with diabetes. Diabetesvereniging Nederland stresses that the type of carbohydrates matters, so let guests assess the nutritional information and portion size for themselves, in line with their own guidance.
For Damhert Almond Speculaas Biscuits Without Sugars, the retailer recommends storing them in a dry place at room temperature. For other products, and once opened, follow the instructions on the packaging.
