For a baking session with children, choose taaitaai as a sugar-free option only if the packaging carries the ‘sugar-free’ claim and the nutrition information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; a recipe containing honey or sugar cannot offer that assurance. If baking together matters more than a sugar-free claim, a traditional recipe may be suitable, as long as you check the allergens and an adult takes care of the hot steps and the oven.
For a baking session or treat with children, you’ll want to know whether the taaitaai you choose is labelled ‘sugar-free’ and whether its sugar content per 100 g meets the requirements. A different sugar claim or a recipe containing honey doesn’t provide the same assurance.
If making and shaping the dough is the main event, a traditional recipe is one option. Give children tasks they can do without handling hot ingredients, and leave the hot dough and oven to an adult.
If a child or guest has a food allergy, the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you choose are what matter. Check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.
A good fit if: Having a demonstrably sugar-free option matters more to you than following a traditional recipe.
Bear in mind: ‘No added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’ are different claims. Assess your chosen variety using the packaging and nutrition information.
A good fit if: Your aim is to make the dough and shape taaitaai together, even without a sugar-free claim.
Bear in mind: Albert Heijn and Jumbo recipes list honey; the Albert Heijn recipe also includes soft brown sugar.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and the ‘of which sugars’ amount per 100 g in the nutrition information. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the limit for this claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If you specifically want sugar-free taaitaai, you won’t want to rely on a recipe containing honey or a different sugar claim. For around 42% of consumers, checking the sugar content is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you choose. | If a child or guest has a food allergy, I need to be able to check whether this particular variety is suitable. For around 33% of consumers, checking for allergens comes first. |
| The baking session | Check which stages of preparing the dough can only be done once it has cooled, and leave the oven to an adult. | If shaping the dough together is the aim, I want children to be able to join in without taking on any hot tasks. This baking session is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim has a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A different type of claim or a recipe containing honey doesn’t prove that the taaitaai meets this limit.
For a packaged product, check the exact claim and the sugar content per 100 g.
A product’s composition can change. This matters especially when your choice depends on an allergen or a specific nutritional value.
When you receive the product or buy it in store, check the packaging of the exact variety you’ll be using.
A claim about sugars doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s nutritional value or the place of biscuits as a snack. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends options such as vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread for snacks.
Enjoy taaitaai as a treat or as part of a baking session together, rather than using a sugar claim alone as a reason to make it a daily snack.
In the Albert Heijn recipe, the dough is only kneaded further once it has cooled. An adult should also take care of the oven.
Where it’s safe, children can help measure ingredients, mix spices or shape the dough. Leave heating and the oven to an adult.
Albert Heijn sells AH Taai taai and also publishes a recipe for baking it at home.
Jumbo sells Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack and publishes a taaitaai recipe that includes ingredients such as wholemeal wheat flour and honey.
PLUS sells artisan taai-taai biscuits in 250 g bags and taai-taai Sint and Piet in 500 g bags.
Bolletje Taai Taai, in a 350 g pack, is a branded product sold by Albert Heijn.
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, taaitaai can carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the claim on the packaging and the sugar content per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t automatically mean the same thing.
You can’t assume so just because honey is an ingredient. The Albert Heijn taaitaai recipe lists both honey and dark soft brown sugar, while the Jumbo recipe includes honey. If you’re looking for demonstrably sugar-free taaitaai, you’ll need to check the claim and sugar content of the finished product.
Read the allergen information and ingredients list on the current packaging of the taaitaai you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods should appear on the label. Don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed earlier.
Children can help measure ingredients, mix spices and shape the dough, while an adult takes care of the hot steps and oven. Follow the order in the recipe you choose: in the Albert Heijn recipe, the dough is only kneaded further once it has cooled.
