Hosts putting out one biscuit pack
If custard creams are part of a tea table or buffet, a 400g pack gives you more to serve from one bag than the 300g and 165g formats listed by B&M, Tesco Groceries and M&S.
Who is this for?
Hosts checking guests' dietary needs
Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list wheat and milk in their conventional 400g custard creams. Check the exact pack before serving and arrange a separate suitable product where needed.
Shoppers who prefer a named brand
McVitie's Tasties and Crawford's are listed in 300g packs, while M&S Extra Cream Custard Creams are 165g. Consider whether that size fits the number of people you expect to serve.
What should you check?
Start with the amount you plan to serve, then check the exact pack's ingredients and how you will store any biscuits left after opening.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack quantity | Compare net weight. ASDA Groceries suggests 34 servings for its 400g pack; Tesco Groceries describes approximately 26 biscuits in a Crawford's 300g pack. Servings and biscuit counts are different measures. | I'm putting biscuits out for a group and want the amount to fit alongside the other Christmas food. |
| Brand and format | Check whether you want a single 400g conventional pack, a 300g branded pack or M&S's 165g Extra Cream pack. Confirm stock when you shop. | A particular brand appeals to me, but I'd rather check its pack size than assume every custard cream comes in a sharing bag. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and precautionary allergen statement. Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list wheat and milk in their 400g products; Sainsbury's labels its Schar 125g product gluten-free. | Guests may need a separate biscuit option, so I'll check the actual packs before putting them out. |
| Storage | Follow the pack's storage instructions and best-before date. Tesco and Asda advise cool, dry storage and an airtight container after opening. | If the biscuits will be opened before guests arrive, I need somewhere to keep the remainder closed. |
Common shopping mistakes
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Assuming every pack is a sharing size
The listed conventional packs range from M&S's 165g product to Tesco and Asda's 400g products. A smaller pack may not fit the amount you intend to serve.
Estimate how many people will have biscuits, then compare net weights and any stated serving or biscuit count.
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Assuming conventional custard creams suit every guest
Tesco and Asda list wheat and milk in their 400g products, and their precautionary allergen statements differ.
Check each current pack before serving. If you choose Schar's gluten-free 125g product, plan for its five-portion format separately from the main sharing pack.
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Planning around an old stock listing
Tesco's Crawford's 300g listing showed the product out of stock, while Joybuy's McVitie's Tasties 300g page described it as no longer available. Neither listing establishes what will be on sale when you shop for Christmas.
Check stock close to your shopping date and identify another pack size that meets the same serving need.
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Leaving an opened bag unsealed
Tesco and Asda give airtight-storage instructions for their 400g custard creams after opening.
Close the pack or transfer the biscuits to an airtight container, keeping the wrapper available for its allergen information and best-before date.
Relevant brand and retailer options
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists its Custard Cream Biscuits in a 400g pack.
- A single 400g conventional pack to consider for a group.
- The listed ingredients include wheat and milk; check the current pack for all allergen statements.
Asda
ASDA Groceries lists a 400g custard-cream pack and suggests 34 servings.
- The stated serving figure can help with planning, alongside the other food being served.
- The listed product contains wheat and milk; check the current pack's precautionary statements.
McVitie's
B&M describes McVitie's Tasties Custard Creams as a 300g pack.
- An option to compare if you specifically want this brand and 300g is enough.
- The Joybuy page for the 300g product described it as no longer available; check live stock elsewhere before planning around it.
Crawford's
Tesco Groceries lists Crawford's Custard Creams in a 300g pack, with approximately 26 biscuits.
- A stated biscuit count helps you judge whether one pack is sufficient.
- Tesco's listing showed the product out of stock; check availability when shopping.
M&S
M&S describes its 165g Extra Cream Custard Creams as having extra vanilla cream and real custard powder.
- A distinct cream format for shoppers looking for that particular product.
- At 165g, one pack provides less biscuit by weight than the listed 400g Tesco and Asda packs.
Joybuy product option
This portioned custard-cream option is for a separate gluten-free provision, rather than the conventional 400g sharing pack discussed above.
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Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
A gluten-free custard-cream option to consider separately for guests who need one. Sainsbury's describes the 125g product as five portion packs, not one large sharing bag; check the current pack against each guest's requirements.
Questions about serving and storage
What pack size should I consider for a Christmas biscuit table?
A 400g conventional pack is a starting point if you want one bag for a group: Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list that size, while the McVitie's and Crawford's packs described by B&M and Tesco are 300g and M&S's Extra Cream pack is 165g. Match the amount to your guest count and the other food you plan to serve.
Can I serve standard custard creams to guests avoiding wheat or milk?
Do not assume they are suitable: Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list wheat and milk in their conventional 400g products. Check the exact pack's ingredients and precautionary allergen statement before serving, and provide a separately suitable option where needed.
Could a gluten-free portion pack replace a large sharing bag?
Schar's product is a different format: Sainsbury's lists the gluten-free 125g product as five portion packs. Plan the number of portions needed separately rather than treating one pack as equivalent to a 400g conventional bag.
How should I keep custard creams after opening the pack?
Follow the current pack instructions. Tesco and Asda advise keeping their 400g custard creams in a cool, dry place and using an airtight container after opening; retain the wrapper for its best-before date and ingredient information.
Is a product-page ingredient list enough for an allergy check?
Use the physical pack as the final check before serving. Ingredient and precautionary information can change, so check again if a product has been substituted or you buy a different pack.