Hosts planning the biscuit quantity
If several people will share the buffet, compare pack weights before deciding whether one larger packet or multiple smaller ones will supply the amount you want.
Who is this for?
Hosts serving guests with allergies or intolerances
Check the exact packet for ingredients, contained allergens and possible cross-contact warnings. The Asda, Sainsbury’s and McVitie’s examples list wheat and milk, with additional warnings that differ between products.
Hosts offering an additional biscuit choice
A smaller extra-cream variation can add variety, while a specifically labelled gluten-free pack may meet a guest’s stated requirement if its current label is suitable for them. Keep different biscuits identifiable on the table.
What should you check?
Decide how much of the buffet’s biscuit selection should be classic custard creams, then check whether any guest needs a separately identifiable option.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack quantity | Compare net weights and the number of packets needed. Tesco and Asda list 400 g packs; two Sainsbury’s 200 g packs make 400 g. | I want enough biscuits for the table without assuming that a pack described as suitable for a family contains a particular amount. |
| Allergen information | Read the ingredients, contained allergens and may-contain or manufacturing warnings on the packet bought. Asda lists wheat and milk, plus possible rye, barley, oats and sesame; Sainsbury’s warns that its 200 g pack is unsuitable for customers with a barley allergy because of manufacturing methods. | Guests need to be able to identify which biscuits meet their own requirements before taking one from a shared table. |
| Biscuit format | Check whether the pack is intended as the main classic selection or an addition. McVitie’s and Crawford’s have 300 g branded formats; M&S lists a 165 g Extra Cream pack, and Schar lists gluten-free custard creams in a 125 g pack. | I may want a different filling or a specifically labelled dietary option alongside the main biscuits, rather than using a small pack for the whole table. |
| Storage | Follow the directions on the product bought. Asda and Sainsbury’s advise cool, dry storage and an airtight container after opening. | If I buy biscuits ahead of Boxing Day, I want to store unopened packs as directed and close up what remains after serving. |
Common buffet planning mistakes
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Assuming familiar biscuits suit every guest
The standard Asda, Sainsbury’s and McVitie’s examples contain wheat and milk. Their additional allergen warnings are not identical.
Read each packet bought and keep its ingredient and allergen information available. If you offer a dietary-specific biscuit, identify it separately and check its label against the guest’s requirements.
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Using a small specialist pack as the entire supply
M&S Extra Cream Custard Creams come in a 165 g pack and Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams in a 125 g pack, compared with the Tesco and Asda 400 g classic packs.
Decide how much of each biscuit you want to serve before choosing pack counts. A smaller pack can be an addition where that format serves a particular guest or preference.
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Relying on an older listing or leaving opened packs out
Ingredients and allergen advice can change. Asda and Sainsbury’s also give airtight-after-opening storage directions for their custard creams.
Check the physical packet when shopping, retain it for reference during the buffet and store biscuits left after opening according to its directions.
Brand and product-line references
These pack formats help distinguish a main biscuit supply from smaller variations; the suitability of any particular packet still depends on its current label.
Sainsbury’s
Its own-label custard creams come in a 200 g pack, so two packs provide 400 g for the buffet.
- Smaller packets let you buy the intended quantity in 200 g increments.
- The product contains wheat and milk and is labelled unsuitable for customers with a barley allergy because of manufacturing methods.
Tesco
Tesco Custard Cream Biscuits offer a single 400 g classic pack with a vanilla-flavour filling.
- One packet supplies the 400 g quantity used in this comparison.
- Check the packet bought for current ingredients and allergen information.
Asda
Asda lists its own-label custard creams in a single 400 g pack.
- The pack provides a 400 g classic biscuit option without combining smaller packets.
- It contains wheat and milk and may contain rye, barley, oats and sesame.
McVitie’s
McVitie’s Tasties Custard Cream Biscuits are a branded 300 g classic format.
- The 300 g pack offers a named-brand choice if that is the biscuit guests prefer.
- The product information lists wheat and milk and a possible sesame warning; check the current packet before serving.
Crawford’s
Tesco describes Crawford’s 300 g custard creams as sandwich biscuits with vanilla-flavour cream.
- The 300 g format provides another branded classic biscuit choice.
- Check the exact packet’s ingredients and allergen warnings rather than assuming they match another brand.
M&S
M&S lists Extra Cream Custard Creams in a 165 g pack and describes them as containing more vanilla cream and real custard powder.
- The smaller pack can provide a different custard cream alongside the main selection.
- At 165 g, one pack supplies less biscuit weight than a 400 g classic pack; check its current ingredients and allergens.
A Joybuy product option
This 125 g gluten-free custard cream pack is an option to serve separately alongside standard biscuits when its label meets a guest’s requirements.
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Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
A smaller custard cream option for a guest who needs a specifically labelled biscuit. The 125 g pack is described as gluten-free and lactose-free; check its current label against the guest’s requirements and keep it separate from wheat-containing biscuits on the buffet.
Questions about serving custard creams
How much should I buy for a family Boxing Day buffet?
Choose a target quantity based on your guests and the other food you plan to serve. One Tesco or Asda pack supplies 400 g; two Sainsbury’s 200 g packs supply the same weight. Pack weight is a firmer planning measure than an assumed number of biscuits per guest.
Is one large packet the only way to put 400 g on the table?
No. Tesco and Asda each list a 400 g custard cream pack, while two Sainsbury’s 200 g packs also total 400 g. Choose the packet arrangement that works for how you intend to serve and store the biscuits.
Can I serve ordinary custard creams to a guest avoiding gluten or milk?
Do not assume they are suitable: the Asda, Sainsbury’s and McVitie’s examples contain wheat and milk. Schar’s 125 g custard creams are described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but check the packet against the individual guest’s requirements and avoid mixing them with ordinary biscuits.
How can guests check a biscuit’s allergens at a home buffet?
Keep the original packet for each biscuit available so guests can read its current ingredients and allergen warnings. If you put different biscuits onto serving plates, keep their identities clear and avoid mixing a dietary-specific option with standard custard creams.
How should I store custard creams before and after opening?
Follow the directions on the packet bought. Asda and Sainsbury’s advise storing their custard creams in a cool, dry place and using an airtight container once opened.