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jam-jams

Classic Canadian Dish: Jam Jam Cookies

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A Jam Jam is a baked sandwich cookie made with two cakey cookies with jam sandwiched in between. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of variations of Jam Jams and one of the hottest topics amongst bakers is the use of molasses. Many outside the Atlantic provinces and Eastern Quebec, where molasses is a pantry staple, opt to use brown sugar instead of the white sugar-molasses combo they do on the East Coast.

jam-jams

Classic Canadian Dish: Jam Jam Cookies

The recipe for these soft, chewy molasses cookie sandwiches is an updated version of my grandmother’s. While the most popular way is to use white sugar and molasses (which would have been the more typical ingredients in the cupboard of an Atlantic Canadian kitchen), some recipes use 1.5 cups of brown sugar instead.
4.75 from 8 votes
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Course: Snack
Preparation: Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Author: Gabby Peyton
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Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 3 Tbsp (45 mL) hot water
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 cups (or more) of your favourite jam (bonus points for homemade or church sale-purchased)
Imperial – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, white sugar and egg until combined, then add the molasses and vanilla and mix until smooth.
  • Once combined, add the baking soda water mixture and mix for another minute to combine.
  • Combine dry ingredients; mix baking powder, cinnamon, flour and salt in a separate bowl then add to the wet ingredients a little at a time, mixing on low until fully combined and scraping down the sides to ensure everything is incorporated. The dough should be easily shaped.
  • Portion dough with a small spoon, roll them into balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet, press them into flat discs using a floured glass or your moistened palm.
  • Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 mins. Remove from the oven and let them cool for at least 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled the cookie sandwiches by spreading at least two teaspoons of your favourite jam between the two cookies. Repeat and enjoy with a cup of tea.
Nutrition Facts
Classic Canadian Dish: Jam Jam Cookies
Serving Size
 
1 cookie
Amount per Serving
Calories
196
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
19
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
171
mg
7
%
Potassium
 
107
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
35
g
12
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
19
g
21
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
173
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
33
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Gabby Peyton

Gabby Peyton

Gabby Peyton is a food writer, culinary historian and award-winning author based in St. John’s, NL. Her writing on travel, food and history has appeared in Canadian Geographic, The Globe and Mail, EnRoute Magazine, Chatelaine, CBC and Eater, and she was the restaurant critic for The Telegram for five years. Gabby’s first book Where We Ate: A Field Guide to Canada’s Restaurants, Past and Present was published in 2023 and became a bestseller. Where We Ate won the Gold award in the Culinary Narratives category at the Taste Canada Awards in 2024.

Contributor PostsGabby Peyton

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bruce Klassen

    January 4, 2025 at 8:56 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Becoming a Christmas tradition

4.75 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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