Royal chef reveals the Queen’s favourite childhood snack she still craves today

Many people have cravings for their favourite childhood snacks, but they may not be as dedicated to having them as often as Queen Elizabeth II who has reportedly been munching on her favourite jam sandwiches since she was five.

Chef Darran McGrady, who worked as the Queen’s personal chef for 15 years, has revealed that the 96-year-old Monarch isn’t fussy when it comes to her snacks and in fact, enjoys a simple 2-ingredient sandwich.

Taking to YouTube the former royal chef shared that “Jam Pennies” was one of the Queen’s most loved recipes.

“The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl. She’s had them for afternoon tea ever since,” McGrady said.

Anyone can make these jam pennies as McGrady explains the timeless recipe is “just bread and jam with a little butter”.

But because she is the Queen of England, the teatime sandwiches jam is made from Scottish strawberries freshly picked from Balmoral Castle’s gardens.

What’s more, these little sandwiches are cut into small circles as The Daily Meal reports “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”.

While the Queen’s afternoon snack is quite simple it comes as no surprise as McGrady had once told The Telegraph that, unlike her late husband, Prince Philip, the Queen “is not a foodie” and instead “eats to live”. 

However, McGrady has also revealed that like many people, Her Majesty does crave a good burger but prefers to have it in a less traditional sense.

Speaking to Insider, McGrady explains how he would make venison burgers out of deer shot by the royals during their hunting trip. He would then stuff the meat patties with delicious ingredients and serve the burger bun-less and covered in cranberry sauce.

Generally, the Queen’s diet is incredibly normal as she favours a more simple plate.

Given Queen Elizabeth is known to be a creature of habit, her afternoon Jam Pennies aren’t the only thing she’s committed to eating for years.

Kellogs has been a long-term cereal supplier to the royal household and even has the royal warrant to prove it. 

When not having her usual fruit and cereal, the Queen enjoys scrambled eggs and smoked salmon topped with grated truffle.

Her Royal Highness also has a tray of Twinnings’ Earl Grey tea brought to her room when she wakes up at 7:30 in the morning and if you’re wondering, Taste of Home reports the Queen has her tea with a splash of milk and no sugar.