M&S Custard Cream Easter Egg Returns Amid Social Media Frenzy
The seasonal cycle of viral Marks and Spencer food items continues unabated. Following past sensations like the strawberries and cream sandwich, Dunked N' Loaded doughnuts, and loaded cookies, the retail giant has revived one of its most talked-about creations for Easter 2026.
The Viral Phenomenon Makes a Comeback
Last year, M&S launched the Outrageously Chocolatey Custard Cream Biscuity Egg, a large hollow chocolate egg shaped like a classic custard cream biscuit. It rapidly achieved social media stardom, sharing the spotlight with Waitrose's celebrated No.1 Chocolate Croissant. This year, the custard cream Easter egg has returned to shelves, prompting renewed curiosity about whether it lives up to the substantial hype.
Acquisition Challenges and Initial Impressions
Securing the product proved unexpectedly difficult. A Sunday visit to a local M&S Food Hall revealed crowded aisles, particularly around the Easter chocolate section. Shoppers browsed extensive displays of chocolate eggs, oversized 'Big Daddy' chocolate bars, and various chocolate-shaped animals.
After retrieving the egg from an upper shelf, the immediate surprise was its lightweight feel. While less substantial than anticipated, this made transportation easier. Priced at £12 for 320g, it represents reasonable value for a novelty Easter item, especially compared to Waitrose's No.1 Almond Croissant egg at £15 for 275g.
Packaging and Presentation Excellence
The egg arrives in a smart golden-yellow box with a protective plastic shell. Remarkably, it survived a 20-minute walk followed by a 20-minute train journey completely intact. The packaging effectively preserves the egg's detailed appearance, which features traditional custard cream patterns and the iconic M&S logo.
Flavour Profile and Critical Assessment
This chocolate creation combines crispy biscuit fragments with luxurious white chocolate and a custard truffle centre. As a devoted custard cream enthusiast, expectations were high for a harmonious blend of shortcake snap, sweet custard truffle, and smooth chocolate.
However, the dominant experience was one of overwhelming sweetness. The flavour resembles Kinder chocolate, mixing white and milk chocolate with scattered biscuit pieces. The custard truffle itself proved excessively sweet alongside the white chocolate, lacking a pronounced vanilla note that might have provided balance.
Structural Observations and Consumption Experience
Upon unwrapping, the egg's dimensions were smaller than expected, though this became understandable after tasting. The chocolate quality is undeniably premium—creamy with a sophisticated taste—but the excessively sweet white chocolate detracts significantly from the overall experience.
The balance feels fundamentally flawed. More biscuit content, less white chocolate, and potentially a darker chocolate variant (such as dark milk or 50% dark chocolate) could better offset the sweetness and allow the custard truffle to shine.
Final Verdict: Style Over Substance
In conclusion, the M&S Custard Cream Easter Egg functions primarily as a novelty item. It's visually impressive and would make a memorable Easter gift for those with a pronounced sweet tooth. However, for genuine custard cream purists, it prioritizes style over substance. Many might prefer the simple pleasure of an actual custard cream biscuit over this chocolate interpretation.
