In high school, Jess Williams worked as a cashier and in-house cook at a chocolate shop. In college, she worked at an ice cream shop. After earning her undergraduate degree in accounting and finance, she returned for a master’s degree in human resources.
Kids + Life
Everything was going according to plan until she decided to stay home and focus on her children – at least for a little while. She now has a blended family with four children ranging from 12 to 16 years old.
Long ago, she started a tradition – she would make any dessert for family members' birthdays. Her brownies were always a hit. And when one of her children was diagnosed with celiac disease, the family simply made their whole home gluten-free.
Then, a few years ago, her father had a double lung transplant and her parents moved in with Williams and her family. He had a sweet tooth and in his final months, all he wanted was for Williams to cook for him. After her dad passed away, Williams’ husband, Ben, asked whether she might consider selling her brownies.
“The first day, I sold 10 dozen brownies,” she says.
Today, Williams and her husband, a former Army Special Forces medic and current neurosurgical physician assistant, are the proud owners of Black Forest Brownies.
Local Ingredients
Williams tries to use as many local ingredients as possible in her brownies, including Sawatch butter, Outrageous flour from Longmont and eggs from her family’s 40 chickens.
“It matters to me because being a small business owner, I always appreciate when other small businesses support me,” she says.
Lots of Flavors
Black Forest Brownies offers about a dozen varieties.
A fan favorite is salted caramel. “It sells out every time,” Williams says. “I make my own caramel in small batches and use honey. I bake caramel into the brownie and on top.”
Other flavors include espresso, brookie (half brownie, half cookie) and more. Order online for delivery or pick up or find them at Backyard Market in Black Forest.
Website: https://www.blackforestbrownies.com/
Facebook: @blackforestbrownies
Instagram: @black_forest_brownies
