Jimmies vs Sprinkles: Difference and Comparison

Sprinkles and Jimmies are those hundreds of small things of confectionery on your desserts. These small pieces are used to decorate or add a particular texture to the desserts.

It can be any dessert, including cupcakes, brownies, cakes, doughnuts, or even ice cream. They provide somewhat an essence to the beauty of the desserts.

Key Takeaways

1. Jimmies are a specific type of sprinkle, cylindrical and chocolate-flavored, while sprinkles are a broader category of small, colorful sugar bits used as a topping.
2. Sprinkles come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, whereas jimmies are more uniform in appearance and taste.
3. “jimmies” is primarily used in the northeastern United States, while “sprinkles” is a more universally recognized term.

Jimmies vs Sprinkles

Jimmies are small cylindrical candy pieces, often chocolate-flavoured, while sprinkles are small, round candy pieces that come in various colours. The term “sprinkles” is widely used throughout the United States, and the term “jimmies” is more commonly used in the Northeastern of the country.

Jimmies are those small, rather mini brown cylindrical or rod-shaped brown pieces on your desserts. It is claimed by the Just Born Candy Company to have invented them. The term is more popular in Philadelphia, Boston, and England. These are available in different types of chocolates. 

Sprinkles are those tiny little balls that are used for the decoration of different desserts. Their origin dates back to the 18th century and has been popular ever since. As the name suggests, they are sprinkled as a topping on any cake, ice cream, or other dessert. These are available in multicolor.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Jimmies	Sprinkles
Origin	It was first documented as toppings for cake in 1930.	The first usage was recorded as decoration for desserts in the 18th century.
Etymology	The Just Born Candy Company claims they invented it and named it after an employee- Jimmy.	Its name has many origins which more or less mean being sprinkled or scattered.
Region	The term is popularly used in Philadelphia, Boston, and England.	The term is popularly used in New York, Australia, New Zealand,  and other parts of the world.
Variety	They are available in more varieties of chocolate.	They are available in more varieties of colors.
Shape	They are popularly rod-shaped or cylindrical.	They are popularly in circles- small tiny balls.

What are Jimmies?

Jimmies are mini and thin pieces of confectionery that decorate desserts and add more texture to them. These are used in almost all desserts, such as cakes, brownies, doughnuts, ice cream, cupcakes, pies, and more.

These are available in a variety of shapes, but mostly in cylindrical shapes or rod shapes. They come in a wide range of colors. Together they provide an excellent option for making colorful designs or simply a bunch of chocolate rods.

Jimmies are claimed to be invented by the Just Born Candy Company. It is also said that they are named after an employee of the company named Jimmy.

The other word which is a part of the term is Sprinkles, another type of confectionery used for the decoration of desserts that originated long before Jimmies. Jimmies are nothing but small pieces made out of sugar and different types of chocolates.

Sometimes for baking, jimmies can be used as a substitute for chocolate. This is because after jimmies are melted, they are just melted chocolate which can be used for different purposes such as ganache.

However, the most popular and easy way is to use them as a topping for cakes, cupcakes, and many other desserts. 

What are Sprinkles? 

Sprinkles are fun-size pieces of confectionery that also decorate desserts and add more texture to them. These two are used in almost all desserts, such as cakes, brownies, doughnuts, ice cream, cupcakes, pies, and more.

These are available in a variety of shapes but mostly in tiny circles. They come in a wide range of colors, providing another great option for making colorful designs or simply a bunch of colorful balls.

There are sprinkles that are available as eye candies, different stars, balls, alphabets, and other shapes.

The wide range of sprinkles fulfils the requirement despite an individual not being a professional baker. Some even prefer to bake with the sprinkles, so as they melt, they leave a colorful design. These kinds of desserts are also recognized as confetti desserts.

The colorful sprinkles can be added to the batter to add even separate shades of colors with an additional flavour too. The best way to make a plain cake or brownie look more exciting is by adding sprinkles.

The instructions are given in the name. Just sprinkle them all over the dessert as per your wish. These are easily available in supermarkets and online stores. 

Main Differences Between Jimmies and Sprinkles

1. Jimmies were first documented as toppings for cake in 1930. The first usage of Sprinkles was recorded as decoration for desserts in the 18th century. 
2. The Just Born Candy Company claims they invented Jimmies and named it after an employee- Jimmy. The term Sprinkles has many origins, which more or less mean being sprinkled or scattered. 
3. The term Jimmies is popularly used in Philadelphia, Boston, and England. The term Sprinkles is popularly used in New York, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world.
4. Jimmies are available in more varieties of chocolate. Sprinkles are available in more varieties of colors.
5. Jimmies are popularly rod-shaped or cylindrical. Sprinkles are popularly in circles- small tiny balls.

References

1. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-75845-9_38
2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/2f25b6dd6851798262c98f4044e28c39/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y