Strawberries & Cream vs Rhubarb & Custard: Which British Classic to Pick
By Candy Kittens | Gourmet Vegan Sweets | No Nasties. All Good | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Comparisons
Both are plant-powered takes on British dessert icons, but they lead with different flavours. Here's how to choose between Strawberries & Cream and Rhubarb & Custard.
Quick answer
Choose Strawberries & Cream if you want a soft, fruity, dessert-like sweetness; choose Rhubarb & Custard if you prefer a sharper, tangier flavour with a creamy finish. Both are plant-powered takes on British classics, so the decision comes down to whether you lean fruity or tart.
The core trade-off: fruity comfort vs tangy nostalgia
Strawberries & Cream leans into the familiar, gentle side of British dessert flavours: ripe strawberry sweetness rounded out by a creamy note. It's the crowd-pleaser you reach for when you want something soft and comforting.
Rhubarb & Custard is the more divisive of the two. Rhubarb brings a sharper, tangier edge that cuts through the custard's creaminess, so each sweet has more contrast. If you like desserts with a bit of bite, this is the one.
Why the 'British Classic Reimagined' range matters for vegan eaters
Both flavours come from the British Classic Reimagined range, which takes timeless British favourites and turns them into plant-powered sweets. That means you get the nostalgia of strawberries and cream or rhubarb and custard without dairy.
The range is exclusive to M&S, so availability is tied to that retailer. If you're shopping outside the UK or can't get to an M&S, that's a real limitation to weigh before falling in love with either flavour.
Flavour intensity and texture: what to expect
The catalog doesn't list detailed texture or sweetness-level specs for either sweet, so we can't compare chewiness or sugar content precisely. What we can say is that the flavour profiles are built around different taste goals: Strawberries & Cream aims for a smooth, dessert-like sweetness, while Rhubarb & Custard aims for a tangy-sweet contrast.
If you're sensitive to tart flavours, Strawberries & Cream is the safer pick. If you find berry sweets too one-note, Rhubarb & Custard gives you more complexity.
How to choose between the two
- If you want a safe crowd-pleaser: Pick Strawberries & Cream. Its soft, fruity sweetness is the easier flavour to share and less likely to polarise a group. Good for mixed crowds or gifting.
- If you crave a tangy kick: Pick Rhubarb & Custard. The rhubarb sharpness balances the custard creaminess for a more complex, nostalgic taste. Best if you already like rhubarb desserts.
- If you're buying blind: Start with Strawberries & Cream unless you know you enjoy tart flavours; it has the broader appeal of the two. Consider a size option that lets you try before committing to a larger pack.
Product facts
- A British Classic Reimagined: Strawberries & Cream: Part of the British Classic Reimagined range, a plant-powered take on the classic strawberries and cream combo. You get a vegan-friendly version of a familiar British dessert flavour, so you don't have to compromise on nostalgia.
A British Classic Reimagined: Strawberries & Cream - A British Classic Reimagined: Rhubarb & Custard: Rhubarb & Custard is described as a gourmet glow-up of the classic rhubarb and custard pairing. If you enjoy the sharp-sweet contrast of real rhubarb and custard, this sweet is designed to deliver that same tangy-creamy balance.
A British Classic Reimagined: Rhubarb & Custard
Who each flavour suits
Best for
- Anyone who prefers fruity, creamy dessert flavours
- Sharing with friends or family who like mild sweets
- Vegan eaters missing classic British dessert tastes
Not for
- People who dislike tangy or tart flavours (choose Strawberries & Cream instead)
- Shoppers outside the UK who can't access M&S exclusives
- Anyone wanting a sour or fizzy sweet rather than a dessert-style gummy
