peanut butter and jelly sandwich

food

Also known as: PB&J sandwich

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, often abbreviated as PB&J, is a popular sandwich made with peanut butter and jelly spread between slices of bread. Peanut butter itself is a food made from ground, roasted peanuts, rich in protein, fat, and fiber. Its commercial production dates back to the late 19th century, with significant advancements in shelf life occurring in the 1920s through hydrogenation. The sandwich gained widespread popularity, especially during World War II, as a convenient and ration-friendly meal, becoming a staple in American households.123

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peanut butter
Types and uses
…on toast or in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, one of the earliest recipes for which was recorded in an article written by Julia Chandler Davis for a 1901 Boston culinary magazine. The marketing of the novel marshmallow creme in the early 1910s led to the creation of a…
Read More
…on toast or in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, one of the earliest recipes for which was recorded in an article written by Julia Chandler Davis for a 1901 Boston culinary magazine. The marketing of the novel marshmallow creme in the early 1910s led to the creation of a…
Read More