Family tea hosts
If several people will share the biscuits, compare pack weights with the amount you expect to put out. Tesco and Asda each list a 400g standard pack, but a larger pack is not necessary for every gathering.
Who is sharing?
Small-gathering hosts
A smaller table may be better served by Sainsbury's 200g standard pack. M&S also lists a distinct 165g Extra Cream variation if the choice is about the recipe rather than quantity.
Hosts catering for allergies
Check which ingredients each guest needs to avoid. Standard Tesco and Asda custard creams list wheat and milk, while Asda lists a separate 125g Free From recipe labelled gluten-free and milk-free; check the full label on the pack supplied.
What should you check?
Settle the quantity and dietary requirements first, then consider whether guests want a standard custard cream or a different recipe.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare stated pack weights with your guest count. Tesco and Asda list 400g packs; Sainsbury's lists 200g. Tesco states a typical 26 biscuits for its Crawford's 300g pack, but that count does not apply to other products. | I want enough to put out for everyone without choosing a larger pack solely because it is larger. |
| Ingredients | Read the supplied pack's ingredients and any 'may contain' statement. Standard Tesco and Asda packs list wheat and milk; Asda's separate Free From 125g pack is labelled gluten-free and milk-free, not free from every allergen. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check the exact recipe being served rather than rely on the name 'custard creams'. |
| Recipe | Distinguish a standard biscuit from a variation. M&S describes its 165g Extra Cream pack as having more vanilla cream; that is the brand's description, not a taste comparison. Check the pack weight separately. | For a smaller tea, I might prefer a different version instead of buying more standard biscuits. |
| Portions | Check what each listing counts: Tesco gives a typical biscuit count for Crawford's 300g pack, whereas Sainsbury's gives approximately 16 servings for its 200g pack. A serving is not necessarily one biscuit. | I'd like to plan what goes on the tea table without treating different pack measures as interchangeable. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Assuming vegetarian means milk-free
Tesco describes its standard custard creams as suitable for vegetarians, but their ingredients include whey powder from milk. Those labels answer different dietary questions.
Check the supplied pack's named allergens against each guest's requirements.
-
Choosing the largest pack automatically
A 400g pack provides more biscuit weight than the listed 200g and 165g alternatives, but weight alone does not establish how many biscuits guests will want.
Choose the amount for the people sharing, and use a product-specific biscuit count where one is stated.
-
Relying on a listing for the occasion
A named online listing does not establish that a pack will be available when you need to serve it.
Confirm availability and delivery for your Mother's Day tea before planning around a particular product.
Brand and range references
These named packs illustrate differences in weight and recipe; a brand name on its own does not identify the ingredients in every product in its range.
Tesco
Tesco lists a 400g own-brand standard custard cream pack.
- The listed weight gives hosts a larger-pack option for a group.
- Its ingredients include wheat and milk; its vegetarian description does not mean milk-free.
Asda
Asda lists a 400g standard pack and a separate 125g Free From pack.
- The Free From listing is labelled gluten-free and milk-free.
- The standard pack contains wheat and milk and lists possible cross-contact allergens. The two packs are different recipes.
McVitie's
Morrisons lists McVitie's Tasties custard creams in a 300g pack.
- Morrisons states 26 servings for this product.
- Its allergen information lists wheat and milk; check the pack before serving.
Crawford's
Tesco lists Crawford's 300g vanilla-cream sandwich biscuits.
- Tesco gives a typical count of 26 biscuits for this particular pack.
- Tesco's listing was marked out of stock on 1 October 2026; confirm availability before relying on it.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists a 200g own-brand standard pack.
- The listing states approximately 16 servings, a product-specific measure for planning.
- Its ingredients include wheat and milk, and the listing warns that it is unsuitable for customers with a barley allergy.
M&S
M&S lists a 165g Extra Cream variation rather than a large standard sharing pack.
- M&S describes this version as containing more vanilla cream and real custard powder.
- The listed ingredients include wheat, milk and soya; check the supplied pack for dietary suitability.
Custard creams on Joybuy
This 125g gluten-free custard cream pack is an option to consider when choosing biscuits for a guest who needs a gluten-free recipe. Check the supplied label for their other dietary requirements.
No image available
Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
A 125g gluten-free custard cream pack to consider for a guest seeking a gluten-free option. Check its supplied ingredients and any other allergens the guest needs to avoid, and consider the pack weight if several people will share.
Questions about serving and choosing
How many custard creams should I plan for?
Start with the number of guests and check the count for the particular pack. Tesco states a typical 26 biscuits for its Crawford's 300g pack, while Sainsbury's states approximately 16 servings for its 200g pack; a biscuit count and a serving count are not interchangeable.
Do custard creams need preparing before a tea?
The listed biscuits are ready to serve. For an opened pack, follow its storage instructions; Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's advise keeping their listed products somewhere cool and dry and using an airtight container after opening.
What should I check for a guest with an allergy?
Ask which ingredients the guest must avoid, then read the full label and any 'may contain' statement on the pack supplied. The standard Tesco and Asda listings include wheat and milk; Asda's separate Free From pack is labelled gluten-free and milk-free, which does not address every possible allergen.
What if the delivered pack has different ingredient information?
Use the label on the pack you receive before serving it, particularly when a guest has dietary requirements. Recipes and allergen information can change, so do not rely solely on an earlier online description; contact the retailer if the delivered product raises a concern.