Hosts with self-service tables
Sealed portions let guests take biscuits without handling an open share pack. Keep the outer packaging nearby so they can check the ingredients.
Who needs which serving format?
Hosts catering for dietary requirements
Choose a product whose exact label meets the guest’s requirements, and serve it separately from conventional custard creams containing wheat and milk.
Organisers serving many guests
A larger share pack is an option if individual wrappers are unnecessary and someone can put out biscuits in clean bowls or trays as needed.
What should you check before choosing?
Decide whether guests need sealed portions, then check the exact packaging and labels before planning how the biscuits will be served.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed servings | Look for an explicit number of inner portions, not just an outer wrap. ASDA Groceries describes Schär Gluten-Free Custard Creams as five 25 g portion packs, with two biscuits per pack. | Guests will arrive at different times, and I want them to take a sealed portion from the table. |
| Serving an open pack | Plan clean bowls or trays and a way to put out manageable amounts. Keep the original pack available after opening. | Someone can look after the table, so individually packed biscuits are not essential. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the complete label on each exact product. The Tesco and ASDA standard packs listed by those retailers contain wheat and milk; both listings also carry other allergen warnings. | I want guests to be able to check ingredients before choosing a biscuit. |
| Separate dietary option | Check the stated claims on the exact pack and keep it apart from conventional biscuits. Tesco Groceries labels its 125 g Free From Custard Creams gluten-free, milk-free and suitable for vegans; individual wrapping is a separate packaging check. | Some guests need a gluten- or milk-free choice, whether or not that choice comes in sealed portions. |
Common serving mistakes
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Assuming an outer wrap means individually wrapped biscuits
An outer retail pack does not tell you how the biscuits are packed inside, which matters if sealed servings are part of your plan.
Check the exact listing or physical pack for an explicit portion count before relying on individual wrappers.
Without inner packs, you may need serving bowls, napkins or someone to manage distribution.
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Discarding the ingredient label
Guests cannot check the full ingredients and allergen information if only unlabelled biscuits remain on the table. Conventional products listed by Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons contain wheat and milk.
Keep the original packaging at the serving point and keep any free-from option separate.
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Using one conventional pack for every guest
A standard custard cream containing wheat and milk will not meet a requirement to avoid those ingredients.
If needed, provide a separately labelled alternative whose exact pack states the relevant dietary claims.
Brand and product references
These details concern the named products and pack sizes, not every custard cream made by each brand.
Schär
ASDA Groceries lists Schär Gluten-Free Custard Creams as a 125 g product with five 25 g portion packs.
- The listing specifies two biscuits per portion pack, making the serving format clear.
- Keep the outer packaging accessible for the full ingredient and allergen information.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists both 400 g standard custard creams and a 125 g Free From version.
- The Free From product is labelled gluten-free, milk-free and suitable for vegans.
- The standard pack contains wheat and milk; check either exact pack if individual wrapping matters.
ASDA
ASDA Groceries lists its own 400 g standard custard creams as well as the Schär portion-pack product.
- The two listings offer different formats to consider for a serving table.
- ASDA’s standard biscuits contain wheat and milk; its listing also warns of possible sesame, rye, barley and oats.
McVitie’s
Morrisons describes McVitie’s Tasties Custard Creams as supplied in a wrap.
- They are an option to consider for a conventional shared serving table.
- The listing states that they contain wheat and milk and may contain sesame; check the pack before expecting individual portions.
Crawford’s
Tesco Groceries describes Crawford’s 300 g Custard Creams as biscuits with vanilla-flavour cream.
- The 300 g pack is a conventional share-pack format.
- Check the exact pack if you need sealed individual servings.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a 200 g own-label Custard Creams pack.
- Its stated pack size helps with planning a shared biscuit table.
- Confirm the inner packaging on the exact product if individual portions are required.
M&S
M&S describes its Extra Cream Custard Creams as containing vanilla cream and custard powder.
- The named product offers a different stated filling from a standard custard cream.
- Check its exact packaging rather than assuming each biscuit is individually wrapped.
Portion-pack options on Joybuy
This Joybuy selection is a custard cream for hosts considering portioned servings; the share-pack and free-from alternatives discussed above remain separate buying choices.
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Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g
For a self-service table, ASDA Groceries describes this Schär product as five 25 g portion packs with two biscuits in each. Keep the outer packaging available for ingredient and allergen checks, and confirm the inner-pack format on the product you receive if sealed portions are essential.
Questions about serving custard creams
Do custard creams need to be individually wrapped for a street party?
No. Sealed portions are useful for a self-service table, but a standard share pack can also work if you use a clean serving method, put out manageable amounts and retain its packaging for ingredient checks.
Which custard creams have a stated individual-portion format?
ASDA Groceries describes Schär Gluten-Free Custard Creams 125 g as five 25 g portion packs, each containing two biscuits. For any other product, check the exact listing or physical pack rather than treating an outer wrap as proof of individual portions.
How can guests check allergens at the biscuit table?
Keep each original pack available so guests can read its ingredients and allergen information before taking a biscuit. If you provide a free-from option, keep its labelled pack with that option and serve it separately from conventional custard creams.