• Zuhara Fäj on baking bliss through The Brownie Jar

Zuhara Fäj, the mastermind behind The Brownie Jar, isn’t your average baker. She’s a brownie whisperer; a chocolate alchemist who transforms simple ingredients into fudgy, gooey masterpieces. It all started with a recipe, a passion, and a whole lot of love. From her home kitchen to hotspot cafes, Zuhara’s brownies have captured hearts and taste buds alike.

Zuhara’s journey began in 2019, when she stumbled upon a brownie recipe that ignited a passion within her. With each bite, she realised she had found her calling. What started as a hobby soon blossomed into a small, home-based business, as friends and family couldn’t get enough of her delectable treats.

Today, The Brownie Jar has a physical cafe in Pelawatta. Zuhara’s brownies are known for their rich, chocolatey flavour and fudgy texture, and her commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned her a loyal following.

As Zuhara looks to the future, she has ambitious plans for The Brownie Jar. She envisions expanding the business with additional cafes in popular mall locations, bringing her delicious brownies to a wider audience. With her passion, talent, and determination, there’s no doubt that Zuhara and The Brownie Jar are destined for great things.

The Daily Morning Brunch had a chat with her about the backstory of The Brownie Jar and discovered the secrets behind its success. From the inspiration that sparked it all to the challenges faced along the way, we uncovered the story of a woman who turned her love for baking into a thriving business.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

What inspired you to start your own brownie-making business?

Back in 2019, I unexpectedly found myself on the path to starting my own brownie business. It all began when I came across a brownie recipe online while experimenting with new sweet treats. Curious to see how it would turn out, I gave it a try – and to my surprise, it was a hit! Friends and family loved the brownies, and I found myself making them more often.

With that positive feedback, I decided to start selling my brownies, initially focusing on a small, home-based business. Now, years later, that passion and those humble beginnings have blossomed into something much bigger.

How long have you been baking brownies professionally?

I’ve been baking brownies professionally for almost five years now. It all started back in 2019, and after so much practice, I’ve become incredibly efficient – I can whip up a fresh batch of brownies in no time!

What is your unique brownie recipe?

I’d love to share my unique brownie recipe, but it has evolved quite a bit from the original version I started with. Over the years, I’ve made so many tweaks to perfect the texture and flavour. One tip I can give is to avoid overloading your brownies with sugar. The key to the perfect brownie is achieving that fudgy, gooey consistency, and too much sugar can easily mask that rich chocolatey goodness. So, my advice is: Let the chocolate shine!

Can you describe your brownie-making process from start to finish?

The brownie-making process in my kitchen is all about fun and a bit of creativity! It starts with gathering a mix of top-quality ingredients, some chocolate magic. I blend it all together in a way that makes the batter irresistibly smooth. Then, it’s into the oven, where the real magic happens as the kitchen fills with that amazing, chocolatey aroma.

But the best part? Pulling out the brownies from the oven at just the right moment for that perfect fudgy centre. It’s an experience I’d love to share, but the recipe stays under wraps. Let’s just say, there’s a little love and a lot of chocolate in every batch!

How do you balance running your home-based business with other responsibilities?

Balancing a full-time job, a home-based business, and personal responsibilities takes a lot of planning, but I’ve managed to find a routine that works well for me. In the mornings, I handle all the household tasks so I can have a clear mind for baking. Once I’ve finished in the kitchen, I focus on my work, making sure each area gets the attention it needs. It’s all about effective time management, and I’ve honed it so I can keep everything running smoothly, from work to life to brownies.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

One of the biggest challenges I face as a small business owner is dealing with fluctuating prices, especially for ingredients like chocolate and eggs. Costs can vary widely from month to month, which impacts planning and budgeting.

Another common challenge is managing inventory – making sure I have enough supplies to meet demand without over-purchasing. Balancing production and customer orders, especially during peak times, can also be demanding. Additionally, there’s the challenge of standing out in a competitive market. Finding unique ways to promote the business and consistently delight customers is key, but it’s something I constantly have to work on!

What are your future plans for your brownie business?

I’m thrilled to say that I’ve already checked off one of my biggest goals for The Brownie Jar: Opening our first cafe! The Brownie Jar Cafe, located at Box Yard in Pelawatta, is a dream project come true. As a first-time cafe owner, it’s been a huge milestone, and I’m so grateful to my husband, who’s been my rock and constant support, along with my two siblings and family. We’re open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are closed on Mondays. You can also find us on Uber Eats and PickMe Food for delivery.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about expanding further. We plan to open additional branches in popular mall locations, bringing our brownies to even more people. The journey has just begun, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next!