Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, had a simple yet enduring favorite snack that she enjoyed for more than 90 years. From her childhood days in the nursery to her final years, the late Queen relished a humble afternoon treat that is both easy to prepare and steeped in royal tradition.
According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, who shared insights on YouTube, Queen Elizabeth had a fondness for “jam pennies” — small, round jam sandwiches made from bread, butter, and jam. McGrady explained, “The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl; she’s had them for afternoon tea ever since.”
The recipe was straightforward: butter spread on one slice of bread, strawberry jam on the other, usually made from the fresh strawberries grown in the gardens of Balmoral Castle. These sandwiches were always cut into circles, never triangles or squares, due to an age-old royal superstition.
READ MORE: Gloucester Rugby Elevates Nine Age-Grade Internationals to Senior Academy
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm Sparks New Interest in Agriculture
In the documentary Secrets of the Royal Kitchen, former royal chef Graham Newbould elaborated on this tradition, saying, “The royals never have square sandwiches because tradition has it that anyone presenting them with pointed-edged food is trying to overthrow the throne of England.”
To recreate Queen Elizabeth’s favorite snack at home, start by spreading butter on one slice of bread and your choice of jam on the other. Press the slices together and then use a biscuit cutter to cut out small, circular sandwiches—just like the Queen preferred for her afternoon tea.