Shoppers seeking a gluten-free custard cream
If the vanilla-filled custard-cream format is the priority, Schär describes its Custard Creams as gluten-free. This particular biscuit is not chocolate-coated.
Who is choosing between these biscuits?
Shoppers seeking a coated biscuit
If a chocolate-coated, filled biscuit matters more than the custard-cream format, UK listings identify Arnott's Tim Tam Gluten Free Original as an alternative. It is a different biscuit, and its listing also identifies egg, milk and soya allergens.
What should you check first?
Establish the suitability of the exact biscuit before deciding whether custard-cream flavour or a chocolate coating matters more.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Check the exact product's gluten-free labelling and current ingredients, including the biscuit beneath any coating. Tesco, Asda and M&S list wheat flour in the coated custard creams considered here. The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free labelling as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold. | I'm choosing for someone with coeliac disease, so a chocolate coating alone does not answer whether the whole biscuit is suitable. |
| Biscuit type and coating | Schär describes a vanilla-filled, uncoated gluten-free custard cream. Tesco lists Arnott's Tim Tam Gluten Free Original as a biscuit with a milk-chocolate-flavour coating and chocolate-flavour filling, not as a custard cream. | I'd choose the custard-cream format over coating, or accept a different biscuit because the coating matters more. |
| Current pack details | Match the full product and variant name, then read the pack's ingredients and allergen information. Coeliac UK explains that cereals containing gluten must be emphasised in the ingredients list; retailer descriptions may change. | I want to check the biscuit actually received, especially if I'm also avoiding ingredients other than gluten. |
What could lead to the wrong choice?
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Judging suitability by the chocolate coating
The biscuit still matters: Tesco, Asda and M&S list wheat flour in the coated custard creams considered here.
Check gluten-free suitability for the complete, named product rather than relying on its appearance.
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Assuming every variant in a range is alike
Arnott's Gluten Free Original Tim Tam is a specific variant, while Schär's gluten-free custard cream is uncoated.
Match the full variant name and gluten-free information to the pack you intend to use.
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Relying on an earlier online ingredient list
Tesco and M&S warn that product ingredients and allergen information can change.
Read the label on the pack received before serving the biscuits.
Which brand products are relevant?
These references concern the named biscuits, not every product made or sold by each brand.
Schär
An option when a gluten-free custard cream matters more than a coating.
- Schär describes its Custard Creams as gluten-free, vanilla-filled and portion-packed.
- This product is uncoated; its description says nothing about other Schär variants.
Arnott's
An option when a coated, filled gluten-free biscuit matters more than custard-cream identity.
- Tesco lists Tim Tam Gluten Free Original with a milk-chocolate-flavour coating and chocolate-flavour filling.
- It is not a custard cream; Ocado also lists egg, milk and soya allergens for this variant.
Tesco
Its named coated custard cream shows why the biscuit ingredients need checking.
- Tesco Milk Chocolate Coated Custard Creams 162g lists wheat flour.
Asda
Its listings distinguish a coated custard cream from Schär's separate gluten-free product.
- Asda lists Schär Gluten-Free Custard Creams 125g.
- Asda Milk Chocolate Coated Custard Creams 162g lists fortified wheat flour; it is not the Schär product.
M&S
Its named coated custard cream is another example where the coating does not establish suitability.
- M&S lists wheatflour in its Outrageously Chocolatey Milk Chocolate Coated Custard Cream and warns that product information can change.
Custard-cream option on Joybuy
This option is for shoppers prioritising a gluten-free custard cream over a chocolate coating.
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Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
For a shopper who wants the custard-cream format, this is the gluten-free, vanilla-filled option described by Schär. The 125g product is portion-packed but not chocolate-coated. Check the current pack's ingredients and allergen information before serving.
Questions about labels and use
Does gluten-free mean a UK biscuit contains absolutely no gluten?
No. The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free labelling as no more than 20 mg/kg, or 20 ppm, of gluten in the food as sold; it does not mean absolute zero.
Where should I check for gluten-containing cereals?
Read the ingredients on the current pack. Coeliac UK explains that cereals containing gluten used as ingredients must be named and emphasised in the list; do not substitute an older retailer description for the pack received.
Can I coat gluten-free custard creams with chocolate at home?
Yes, as a home-preparation option rather than a ready-made coated product. Check the chocolate against your gluten-free requirements, and follow Coeliac UK's advice to clean surfaces and utensils to avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs.
Is a Crossed Grain symbol required for a biscuit labelled gluten-free?
No. Gluten-free is a defined food-labelling statement under the Food Standards Agency's limit; the Crossed Grain Trademark is a separate product-level cue. Check the particular biscuit's own labelling rather than assuming a symbol applies across a range.
How should I store the biscuits after opening?
Follow the instructions on the pack. Asda's listing says to keep Schär Custard Creams in a cool, dry place; during storage, keep gluten-free biscuits away from gluten-containing crumbs, as Coeliac UK advises for avoiding cross-contamination at home.