Eating a brownie or blondie almost feels like pure joy. These sweet treats are good for the soul and come with a touch of nostalgia. Brownies are always better when homemade and if you agree, it’s time to meet The Thirsty Baker. This woman-owned small business run by Emily Hokanson specializes in homemade, small-batch gourmet brownies. The Thirsty Baker is based in Jersey City and the brownies are available at local farmers markets and via local delivery or shipping to the continental US. Keep reading to learn more about The Thirsty Baker + the incredible brownie flavors to try.
Photo Credit: Emily Hokanson
All About The Thirsty Baker
The Thirsty Baker is a woman-owned small-batch homemade gourmet brownies business based in Jersey City. Emily started The Thirsty Baker from her home kitchen in 2022, but she’s been passionate about baking from a young age.
“Growing up, my family moved around a lot, and it left me craving a stronger sense of community. At the same time, I loved to bake with my family, and I couldn’t help but notice how good food, especially indulgent desserts, brought everyone running to the table,” Emily told The Hoboken Girl.
During high school, Emily worked in a caramel apple and Belgian chocolate shop.
“Witnessing the joy on people’s faces as they bit into a piece of chocolate solidified my decision to follow a career in food, and after college, I spent 9 years working for a large candy company,” Emily said.
Emily launched the Thirsty Baker in 2022 from her kitchen and started selling her gourmet brownies at the Van Vorst Park Farmers Market.
“I quickly found the sense of community I had been searching for, and I was blown away by how much people enjoyed our brownies. In the summer of 2023 I expanded to five markets a week, and left my corporate job to pursue The Thirsty Baker full-time,” she shared.
Read More: DoGood Donuts: A Self-Taught One-Woman Doughnut Business Serving Hoboken + Jersey City
Thirsty Baker Menu
The Thirsty Baker menu has a line-up of stand-by + seasonal brownies and blondies.
“Our fan favorites include our ooey-gooey Sea Salt Caramel Brownie, our tried + true Classic Brownie, and our indulgent Peanut Butter Swirl Brownie,” Emily said.
Photo Credit: Emily Hokanson
The fixed menu features a Sea Salt Caramel Brownie, an Espresso Brownie, a Peanut Butter Swirl Brownie, a Rainbow Brownie (think of this like a gourmet Cosmic Brownie), a Classic Brownie, and a Classic Blondie.
“Each month we also offer three new rotating flavors, including one gluten-free + vegan flavor,” she added.
For the month of February, there was a Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownie, a gluten-free + vegan Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownie, and a red-hot Fireball Blondie.
Some of the other previous seasonal flavors were a gluten-free + vegan Mocha Fudge Brownie in January 2024 and a Gingerbread Caramel Brownie in December 2023. While customers won’t find the out-of-season flavors at the farmers market, many of these are available for custom order on the website.
How to Try The Thirsty Baker
Emily currently sells the gourmet brownies at the Van Vorst Park Farmers Market in Jersey City on Saturdays from 9AM-1PM. Brownie lovers can place a pre-order for farmers market pick-up or stop by to try a sample + select from the available flavors.
Photo Credit: Emily Hokanson
The Thirsty Baker can also be found at other area farmers markets, like the Riverview Park Farmer’s Market in Jersey City + the Church Square Farmer’s Market in Hoboken, when these are in season.
Local delivery in Hoboken + Jersey City is available on Saturday afternoons. The homemade brownies and blondies can also be shipped anywhere in the continental United States.
Anyone interested in a custom order or catering for large events + weddings can reach out to Emily via info@thethirstybaker.com to learn more.
See More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair
All About Community
Emily is passionate about making excellent gourmet brownies, but she’s also fueled by creating a strong sense of community. The name “The Thirsty Baker” comes from her belief that nothing brings people together like good food, good drinks, and good conversation.
“I feel so incredibly honored to get to do this full time, to hear all of your beautiful brownie stories, to be a part of celebrations big and small, to be a comforting treat after a long day, and to now call many of you friends,” she shared.
As The Thirsty Baker continues to grow, Emily has her sights set on a brick-and-mortar where she can combine indulgent desserts, well-crafted cocktails, and community events.
“My dream is to one day be able to open up my own bar + bakery in Jersey City or Hoboken and create an inclusive, community-driven space for all of my fellow brownie lovers to indulge and connect.”
