A Jam Jam is a Canadian cuisine sandwich cookie that originated in eastern Canada. Each cookie consists of two soft wafers made with molasses and/or brown sugar, sandwiched together with jam filling.
Description
Traditional Jam Jams are made with either molasses or brown sugar.
The cookies have a cakey texture and are filled with various jams, including
raspberry, partridgeberry (lingonberry), bakeapple (cloudberry), or apple. The commercial version produced by
Purity Factories uses an apple-based filling.
Regional variations exist in both recipe and appearance, with some versions featuring a decorative hole in the top cookie to showcase the jam filling.
History
Jam Jams first appeared in Canadian community cookbooks during the 1930s, with early recipes found in both the
Winnipeg Public Schools Home Economics cookbook and the Stayner Sun in
Ontario.
The cookies gained widespread popularity in the 1950s when
Purity Factories of St. John's, Newfoundland began mass-producing them at their new Blackmarsh Road facility.
Cultural Impact
Jam Jams hold particular significance in Newfoundland culture, where they are a part of traditional tea time gatherings.
They remain one of Purity's best-selling products, alongside their
Ginger snap,
Cream cracker, and
Hardtack.
Today, Jam Jams are a staple at bake sales, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations throughout
eastern Canada.
While Purity's commercial version is now distributed across Canada and the United States,
many families continue to make their own versions using recipes passed down through generations.
See also
