Jam Pennies
Small round buttered-bread sandwiches spread with jam and cut into coin shapes - a nostalgic British party food and teatime staple from the mid-twentieth century.
England, United Kingdom
Also known as Jam sandwiches, Jam butties
About Jam Pennies
Jam Pennies are a quintessentially British sandwich - thinly sliced, buttered white bread spread with jam and cut into small round circles that resemble pennies, hence the name. The jam is typically strawberry or raspberry, though blackcurrant and apricot are also used, and the bread is always white and soft. The sandwich is traditionally cut twice diagonally to produce the small triangular quarters, or sometimes with a pastry cutter into perfect circles for a more formal tea table.
They are most closely associated with children's birthday parties and afternoon tea in the mid-twentieth century, served on the middle tier of a cake stand alongside other small savouries. The appeal is pure and simple: sweet, soft, and easy for small hands to manage. While they have largely disappeared from commercial tea menus, Jam Pennies remain a nostalgic fixture of home baking and charity cake stalls, where their cheerful appearance and dependable sweetness guarantee a warm welcome.
History & Culture
Jam Pennies are a simple British sandwich made from buttered bread spread with jam, then cut into small round circles resembling coins - hence the name. Their origins are not well documented, but they are widely associated with traditional children's parties and teatime in the UK, where they have been a staple for decades due to their inexpensive, easy-to-make nature.
Regional variations are minimal, though the choice of jam often reflects local preferences, such as strawberry, raspberry, or blackcurrant, and the bread may be white or brown. Culturally, Jam Pennies evoke nostalgia for mid-20th-century British childhoods and are a humble symbol of simple, homemade comfort food, often served on tiered stands at afternoon tea or as a treat for young guests.
How to make Jam Pennies
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedJam Pennies
A classic British tea-time treat of buttered bread spread with jam, cut into small 'penny' rounds. Light, sweet, and perfect for an afternoon spread.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Serves
- 4 (makes 16 pennies)
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 8 slices soft white sandwich bread, crusts on, as traditionally used
- 60 g (¼ cup (4 tbsp)) unsalted butter, softened, slightly salted is also acceptable
- 80 g (about 3 tbsp) raspberry jam, strawberry or blackcurrant jam also traditional; use a seedless variety if preferred
Steps
- 1 Lay the bread slices flat on a board. Using a butter knife, spread the softened butter evenly over one side of each slice, going right to the edges so the butter seals the crust and keeps the bread from going stale.
- 2 Spread the jam in an even layer over the buttered side of 4 of the slices (the butter layer helps keep the jam from soaking into the bread).
- 3 Top each jam-covered slice with a second slice, buttered side down, to make 4 sandwiches.
- 4 Using a small round cutter about 4 cm (1½ in) across (or the rim of a glass), press firmly through each sandwich to cut out 'penny' rounds. A slight twist helps cut cleanly through the crusts.
- 5 Arrange the jam pennies on a plate or cake stand and serve immediately, or cover with a clean tea towel until needed. Best eaten the same day.
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Where to eat it
Look for them at a British church summer fete or charity cake stall, piled on a tiered cake stand alongside mini scones and cucumber sandwiches.
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Jam Pennies - frequently asked questions
What is Jam Pennies?
Jam Pennies are a quintessentially British sandwich - thinly sliced, buttered white bread spread with jam and cut into small round circles that resemble pennies, hence the name. The jam is typically strawberry or raspberry, though blackcurrant and apricot are also used, and the bread is always white and soft.
What is Jam Pennies made of?
Jam Pennies is made with white bread, unsalted butter, strawberry jam, raspberry jam (optional) and blackcurrant jam (optional).
Where does Jam Pennies come from?
Jam Pennies comes from United Kingdom, and is especially associated with England. Jam Pennies are a simple British sandwich made from buttered bread spread with jam, then cut into small round circles resembling coins - hence the name.
Where can I eat Jam Pennies?
Look for them at a British church summer fete or charity cake stall, piled on a tiered cake stand alongside mini scones and cucumber sandwiches.
How do you make Jam Pennies?
Making Jam Pennies at home takes about 10 minutes of prep. The recipe on this page serves 4 (makes 16 pennies) and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
What else is Jam Pennies called?
Jam Pennies is also known as Jam sandwiches, Jam butties.
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