Mix Things Up at 7 Adult Baking Classes in Northern Virginia

These workshops offer beginner-level baking plus cake and cookie decorating lessons.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted February 17, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

Courtesy Knead & Know

Maybe you dream of being on a Food Network baking show. Or perhaps just want to learn how to decorate a cake without it looking like a drippy mess. Either way, you’ll want to give these Northern Virginia baking classes a try. Most are for beginners and not only teach baking but cake and cookie decorating, too.

Baking Bootcamp

6 classes, February 22 through March 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This six-week class at Cookology at Ballston Quarter will tackle cheese danishes, bagels, French apple cake, muffins, oatmeal raisin cookies, and more. Students will learn skills like dough handling, precise measurements, and decorating. Recipes will be emailed at the end of class. 4328 Wilson Blvd., 3^rd Fl., Ste. 3110, Arlington

Upcoming classes are February 22, March 15, March 29, April 19, May 10, and May 30

The beginner’s workshop will give students all the tools and directions on how to decorate cookies to take home after class. Skills like outlining and wet on wet decorating will be demonstrated. There’s even a gluten-friendly cookie option. Baker Christina will be giving out her personal recipes for royal icing and vanilla sugar cookies too. 11 North 5^th St., Warrenton

All About French Pies & Tarts

March 4 and 11, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education programs are offering a two-time, three-hour class. Attendees will learn how to make a perfectly crispy and buttery pie and tart crust. A native French culinary instructor will lead the class, and students will work in small groups, with space for up to 12 people. Plum Center, 6815 Edsall Rd., Springfield

pies baked at a baking class through Courtesy of Fairfax County Public Schools, Adult & Community Education — *Courtesy Fairfax County Public Schools/Adult & Community Education*

Beginner Cake Decorating

March 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn from Dawn of Ravy Cakes LLC, a competitor on Food Network’s Wedding Cake Championship. The class, held at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in Fairfax, will be focused on building a cake from start to finish. You’ll learn techniques like how to prepare and color buttercream frosting and how to create designs like swirls and rosettes. This class is beginner-friendly and aims to build cake decorating confidence. 10927 Main St., Fairfax

March 15, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Sugar Coated Bakery at Caboose Commons in Fairfax. This all-ages cookie decorating class will provide a half dozen sugar cookies that feature whimsical themed designs like a shamrock and pot of gold. There will be plenty of time allowed for adding additional icing details. 2918 Eskridge Rd., Fairfax

two women hold decorated cookies at a decorating class while smiling at the camera — *Courtesy Sugarcoated Bakery*

Knead & Know

Weekends

Knead & Know offers baking classes at their cozy bakery in The Plains. Held on weekends, they’re a great option for those who can’t attend during the week. Upcoming classes in in March include Fundamentals of Bread, and baking Japanese milk bread, sourdough rye bread, and baguettes. 6322 Hopewell Rd., The Plains

Cake Time

Minimum of 10 people to have a class

Cake Time’s classes cover cake, cupcakes, or cookies. A minimum of 10 people are needed to proceed with classes, and price depends on when the class is finalized. Cake Time does have open decorating daily in 90-minute increments from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 4300 Chantilly Shopping Ctr., #1H, Chantilly

Feature image courtesy Knead & Know

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.