For baked goods that are slightly sexier than your average bake sale fare, try the concoctions whipped up by Naughty Bits Brownies, a new company that offers brownies made with grown-up ingredients like espresso, Kahlua, wasabi, and bacon.
Founded by Leigh Lambert, a former Washington Post food section editorial assistant and pastry chef, Naughty Bits Brownies was inspired by Lambert’s recipe for “Man-Catcher Brownies,” which was published in the Post in 2007. The recipe was a hit with readers, and after the birth of her son in April 2010, Lambert decided to try selling the treats online and in local shops, adding five more cheekily named brownies to her repertoire. In addition to the original all-chocolate “Man Catcher,” the lineup includes “Living in Sin," a peanut butter cup-flavored brownie, and “The Shiksa,” featuring maple-smoked bacon and toffee bits.
“They’re the cosmopolitan, hip version of brownies,” Lambert says of her colorfully packaged desserts, which are sold in individual packages at Capital City Cheesecake and Zen Tara Tea. The brownies are also available in gift boxes (six for $21 or a dozen for $41) at naughtybitsbrownies.com. Lambert also has plans to offer catering options like brownie buffets for parties and corporate events, and for larger orders, she can provide bulk prices and custom flavors on a case-by-case basis.