A jam sandwich is what a British parent might serve a young child when, for whatever reason (illness, continued tantrums etc) they can't get them to eat anythin

A jam sandwich is what a British parent might serve a young child when, for whatever reason (illness, continued tantrums etc) they can't get them to eat anything else, or when they can't really afford much else. I doubt I've eaten one since I was about 12 years old. I thought PB&J sandwiches took the same place in the USA, but it seems they're eaten more routinely, including by adults. They obviously aren't cakes, but if I were to position them in a buffet it would be right next to the cakes.