Small Group Workshop: Advanced Cookie Decorating with Emily Spurlin

NOTE: iphone and ipad users, CLICK HERE to register for class.

What’s on the Menu:
No-Spread Sugar Cookies
Basic Icing
Perfect Royal Icing
How to color, design and pipe stunning designs

We’ve all seen them before, those charming, colorful cookies decorated with glossy, perfect icing. When you imagine what they taste like, though, what comes to mind? Probably nothing much to write home about. But you don’t have to choose between appearance and flavor when you have guidance from guest teacher Emily Spurlin, whose expertise is incorporating vibrant, natural color into baked goods that still taste amazing. She’ll teach you a sugar cookie that’s guaranteed not to spread, meaning your snowmen, stars and reindeer will actually be identifiable. She’ll demystify royal icing and clarify how bakers in the know prepare different textures of royal icing in order to outline, flood and pipe their designs. You’ll make a different icing altogether for glazing and dipping. Then, you’ll draw inspiration from Emily’s love of color to add vibrant touches to your frostings using both gel food color and natural options. After practicing fundamental design and decoration techniques together, we’ll move on to more advanced marbling, painting and wet-on-wet techniques. Join us if you’re interested in holiday cookies that truly look as good as they taste.

About Emily: Emily Spurlin is an award-winning pastry chef, floral designer, herbalist, and artist based in Chicago. After training and living in Paris, she moved to Chicago for its diverse culinary scene. Emily worked in the restaurant industry for a decade at institutions such as The Publican, Floriole, and Lula Cafe, where she earned a reputation for whimsical, creative desserts that blend inventive flavors with seasonal, botanical ingredients. She’s become especially known for her layer cakes and cake decorating workshops, which are deeply inspired by the cycles of nature and the joy of creativity. Emily approaches cake as a medium for play, pleasure, and connection to ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Her work is recognized by a James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef nomination, a StarChefs Rising Star award, and in numerous publications such as Bon Appétit, New York Times, Food & Wine, Taste, and more.

Thank you to the 2025 Annual Sponsors of the Cooking School, who make our livestream events possible:

• Coccinella, whose Oleavia Extra-Virgin Olive Oils are made with olives that are harvested early, hand-picked and cold-pressed to ensure impeccable flavor. Use code MILK STREET to get 20% off your first order: https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo
• Copper, which makes battery-equipped induction ranges that power premium cooking experiences and store renewable energy — without the need for complex, expensive electrical upgrades. Learn more: t.ly/cU1pO
• Vermicular. With 80+ years of Japanese craftsmanship and heating innovation, they craft thoughtfully designed cast iron cookware that inspires chefs of all levels. Use code COOKLIGHT for 10% off their products at the Milk Street Store: t.ly/mu01T
• Work Sharp, which makes sharpening products that are fast, easy to use and work every time. Find their products on the Milk Street Store and use code SHARPSMART for 10% off: t.ly/SSsSz
• Wulf’s Fish and Savenor’s Market. Together, Wulf’s and Savenor’s provide premium seafood and gourmet meat to chefs and home cooks across the country. Use code MILKSTREET for 20% off orders from Wulf’s (t.ly/REVSO) and Savenor’s (t.ly/CRwjA).

Our small-group Workshops are capped at just 25 attendees and are distinct from our livestream Classes. As such, they are NOT included with Insider membership.

Want to give this class as a gift? You can purchase gift cards here.

Immediately after registering, you will get a confirmation email that contains the Zoom meeting log-in information. One week prior to the class (or within 48 hours, if you register less than one week in advance), you will receive instructions on how to prepare ingredients and equipment in order to cook along with us.

After class, you will receive a recording of the event, as well as a packet with recipes and resources that we discuss during the event. If you have any questions about this class, please don't hesitate to get in touch via cookingschool@177milkstreet.com.

This event has limited spots, and you must register in advance via Eventbrite. One sign-up covers one device. Closed Captioning is available for this event.

Payments for Milk Street livestream workshops are non-refundable. If you find yourself unable to attend, you may transfer the ticket to someone else, but we are unable to refund fees and all payments are final.

Proceeds from live stream cooking classes and workshops support Milk Street's non-profit work with The Big Sisters Association of Great Boston, The Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, and other partners.

Bonus: All attendees of this class will receive a one-time 20% off coupon to the Milk Street Store after class.