More Than a Dessert: The Story of Sharon’s Brownies
If you’ve spent any time at Cooley Bay Winery & Brewery, you may have noticed an item tucked away at the bottom of our food menu: Sharon’s Brownies.
It’s one of the items we get asked about most often, and for good reason. Guests want to know what makes these brownies special, who Sharon was, and why her name remains part of the Cooley Bay experience. The answer is a story about family, friendship, gratitude, and tradition…So settle in.
The original owner of Cooley Bay Winery was Tom Busch. Many of you have met Tom over the years and know him as a kind, generous person who never met a stranger. Whether welcoming longtime friends or first-time visitors, he always made people feel at home at Cooley Bay. Today, he still makes occasional visits when he’s in Texas visiting family.
Tom had an older sister named Sharon.
At family gatherings and special occasions, Sharon was known for bringing her famous brownies. They were her signature contribution to every celebration, and family members eagerly anticipated them each year. The recipe was closely guarded, becoming something of a family legend over time.
Sadly, Sharon’s story was cut short when she passed away after a battle with cancer. While she may be gone, the memories she created—and the traditions she started—continue to live on.
Following Sharon’s passing, her husband, Mark Brayer, became increasingly involved with Cooley Bay. Guests came to know Mark for his cheerful personality, welcoming spirit, and ever-present smile. He helped with festivals, special events, wine club activities, and just about anything else that needed a helping hand.
Tom and Mark shared a special bond, and regular visitors quickly learned that whenever the two of them were working together, there was bound to be laughter, stories, and a little extra excitement in the tasting room.
Over time, Mark’s involvement became less frequent. Living out of state made regular trips challenging, and he wanted more time to travel and become involved in his own community. Even so, whenever he returned to Cooley Bay, he seamlessly stepped back into the family atmosphere that had always defined the winery.
In 2023, Tom and his wife Jana created a wine specifically to honor Mark and thank him for years of friendship, support, and family. The result was Molto Grato, a port-style Tempranillo. Translated from Italian, Molto Grato means “Very Grateful,” making it a fitting tribute to the bond they shared.
…Fast forward to March 2025.
Jennifer and William Windlow had owned Cooley Bay for only a few months and were beginning to put their own stamp on the next chapter of the winery’s story. After meeting Mark and learning about Sharon, her brownies, and the deep friendship between Mark and Tom they knew they wanted to preserve a piece of that history.
Soon after the purchase was finalized, William and Jennifer asked Mark for permission to serve Sharon’s Brownies at Cooley Bay. With Mark’s blessing, the family recipe found a new home on the menu. To make the dessert even more special, it was paired with vanilla ice cream and a blackberry wine reduction—A few months later, another idea emerged.
William had an existing relationship with Cocktail Creamery in downtown McKinney and approached them about creating a custom wine-infused ice cream.
The result? Molto Grato-infused vanilla ice cream!
The pairing was an immediate success. In fact, the dessert became so popular that William and Jennifer eventually removed Molto Grato from general availability to ensure there would always be enough wine available to continue producing the ice cream.
Today, Sharon’s Brownies are more than just a dessert. They represent a family tradition, a cherished memory, a lasting friendship, and the spirit of gratitude that helped shape Cooley Bay.
So the next time you’re looking for something sweet to finish your visit, order Sharon’s Brownies topped with a scoop of Molto Grato ice cream.
You won’t just be enjoying dessert—You’ll be enjoying a piece of Cooley Bay history…Tradition, homage, gratitude, and family are the secret ingredients.