Magical Morsels: The Art of Cookie Design
Story by Meagan Friberg
Photography by Ruby Wallau
What began as making treats for a birthday party exploded into a successful career for the now world-renowned cookie decorator — a “cookier,” as they’re sometimes called — Liz Adams. An Atascadero native living in Paso Robles, Liz is known to fellow cookiers and students as “Arty McGoo.” Where some see a three-bite, sugar-encrusted indulgence, Liz sees a canvas that can be transformed into a beautiful piece of edible art. This vision is what makes her business, which includes instructional courses, speaking at conferences and cookie production, so successful.
It all started in 2010 when Liz baked and decorated monogram cookies in place of the typical goodie bags for her daughter’s birthday. The kids just wanted to eat the cookies, but the “oohs” and “ahhs” from parents quickly turned into requests for specialty cookies across a variety of events. Around this same time, Liz started journaling through a blog that helped keep track of everything she was creating, including cookies. The blog needed a name and Adams wanted to communicate she was an artist who didn’t take herself too seriously. That’s when Arty McGoo was born.
“I would use the word McGoo as an adjective with my kids — ‘Let’s go, Speedy McGoo’ — so it was just natural for my blog to become Arty McGoo,” she explains. “I started getting emails asking, ‘Ms. McGoo, please tell me how you decorated this cookie.’ They thought my name was Arty McGoo and, really, that’s me! I’m Liz, but I’m also Arty McGoo.”
Cookies quickly took over the blog and, to her delight, the cookie artistry blended her many creative hobbies into one. Her love of design, creating textures, using different media and photography could now be expressed in cookie form. Her first request to teach an in-person class came in 2012 via a Facebook message from a follower in Italy inviting her to come teach “this American art of cookie decorating” in their community.
“The art of cooking decorating was something I learned all on my own,” Liz shares. “They were saying, ‘Now teach us how you did it’ and I’m thinking, ‘I’m still learning!’ I still feel that way every time I decorate; I always feel like I’m learning.”
Becoming Arty McGoo was for Liz an “unexpected and organic journey” set into motion right before her youngest child began kindergarten. Her husband John had suggested she take some time to explore career options. “Having time to reflect turned out to be an incredible gift,” she says. “It allowed me to realize what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have this creative need; I get a bit anxious when I don’t create after a while. Some people express themselves with words, or dance, or music — this is just communicating on a canvas that is small and edible.”
From the beginning, Liz knew that if she was going to share her cookie decorating skills with the world, the end product would not only need to look beautiful but also taste delicious. Her portfolio includes creations with organic style material that mimics moss or geodes, satiny wedding dresses, woven baskets and more. Each cookie is carefully dressed in realistic color and texture so detailed it should be preserved in glass and frame.
“People often ask me, ‘Do you really want me to eat this?’ My answer is, ‘Definitely! Yes!’ It tastes good for a reason,” she says with a laugh. “People often turn to their ovens and bake something when life events happen. Baking for someone is like a little love note; it’s very personal for the giver and the recipient. And, where a cake is for the room, a cookie is for the individual — it’s an opportunity to be personal in your gift giving.”
It’s no surprise that Arty McGoo is now considered the industry leader when it comes to cookie decorating. In addition to teaching virtually through her platform, McGoo U, she also instructs in-person classes at Studios on the Park. Liz has served as keynote speaker at CookieCon, a confectioner’s dream, the largest gathering of cookiers in the world. She has earned the reputation of being an expert in this delicious and creative space and with that prestige comes a newfound confidence.
“In the beginning, the name Arty McGoo actually helped me as a sort of alias,” Liz says. “My introverted side, Liz, was nervous to meet people but Arty was just fine. As Arty McGoo, my shy side didn’t have to take over. I would allow myself to reflect the positivity coming at me and share in that excitement with people. Today, I no longer consider myself shy about meeting new people. It might sound a bit funny, but cookies have been life changing for me.”
Her classes include beginner, intermediate and advanced. Liz’s advice for people wanting to try their hand with cookie decorating may come as a surprise, given the appearance of her extravagantly detailed masterpieces, but she encourages: “Keep it simple.”
“Don’t get overwhelmed by airbrushes and tools,” she says. “I have recipes on my website, and I think sanding sugar and sprinkles makes everything adorable. Remember, it’s one cookie; if you mess up terribly, you just eat it and, well, that’s not a bad day!”
