Are Custard Creams Vegan in 2024? A Delicious Dive into Dairy-Free Delights

Last updated on December 17th, 2023

If you’re a biscuit lover but are following a vegan lifestyle or a plant-based diet you might have stumbled upon the age-old question: Are custard creams vegan? Well, friend, fret not, I’m about to tell you all you need to know about custard creams and don’t worry, it’s not all bad. 

Before we dive into the vegan conundrum, let’s talk about biscuits themselves.

These little treats are iconic in the world of biscuits – sweet, crumbly, and often sandwiched together with a velvety custard-flavoured filling. With their distinctive design of an embossed pattern on top, custard creams have been gracing tea-time tables for generations.

Now, let’s address the big question: Are custard creams vegan? The answer, my friends, is a bit more complex than a simple “yes” or “no.”…the answer is…sometimes. So, I look at that as good news. 

Traditionally, custard creams contain butter, a dairy product. This means they’re not vegan-friendly. Butter, derived from animal milk, is a key ingredient that originally gave the biscuits their rich and melt-in-your-mouth texture. This inclusion of dairy has long kept custard creams off the list of permissible treats for those following a vegan lifestyle.

But hold onto your tea cups, because times are changing, and so are the recipes! In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in creativity when it comes to plant-based alternatives. This wave of innovation has not spared the world of biscuits, including custard creams.

So, yes, there are vegan custard creams out there!

Several manufacturers have responded to the increasing demand for vegan products by crafting dairy-free versions of custard creams. These alternatives often substitute dairy butter with plant-based margarine or oils, ensuring that the biscuits maintain their beloved texture and taste. And fear not, custard flavour can be replicated through various natural flavourings, allowing vegans and non-vegans alike to indulge in the same luscious experience.

• Tesco – Tesco Free From Custard Creams
• Sainsbury’s – Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams
• Asda – ASDA Free From Custard Creams

With the market flooded with different biscuit options, identifying vegan custard creams requires a bit of label-reading. Welcome to the world of veganism! The good news is that many brands now proudly display “vegan” labels on their products, making your selection process much smoother. Keep an eye out for terms like “dairy-free,” “plant-based,” and of course, “vegan” when scouring the biscuit aisle. But if there’s any doubt be sure to have a scan through the ingredient list.

The journey to discovering vegan food is more than just a dietary choice; it’s a testament to the growing awareness and options available, helping more and more people follow a vegan lifestyle. While traditional custard creams might have held a dear place in society, the emergence of vegan variations offers a chance to hold onto the past while moving toward a more inclusive and compassionate future.

So, are custard creams vegan? The answer is sometimes: traditionally, no, due to the presence of dairy butter. 

However, thanks to the creativity of today’s biscuit-makers, yes, there are dairy-free custard creams available to all.

Want to know more about what foods are vegan and what foods aren’t? Check out my Vegan Food and Drink page.

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Meet the Author

Meet Sinead O’Carroll: Vegan explorer, sustainability advocate and the founder of The Wondering Wandering Vegan. Embracing veganism since 2018 and vegetarianism since 2005, Sinead is armed with a Vegan Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle qualification, and is on a mission to share her passion for cruelty-free living. 

With a taste for adventure and a heart for eco-conscious choices, she’s here to prove that vegans never miss out on flavour, fun or style. Join her in enjoying the delights of a vegan-friendly world! 🌱✈️🌍
Want to know more? Check out Sinead’s About page here.

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Follow me on Instagram to see all the delicious vegan food I find, the vegan and cruelty-free products I use and what I get up to as a travelling vegan.

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