For this week’s Food Art Friday prompt, we’re diving into the cozy fall and winter flavors of pumpkin spice with a twist—introducing Pumpkin Spice Latte Pancakes! Combining two beloved fall favorites, these fluffy pancakes are drizzled with a homemade pumpkin spice latte syrup, topped with whipped cream, and finished off with a sprinkle of cinnamon. This culinary creation isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it’s an opportunity to experiment with food photography in a way that captures the rich, warm tones of the season.
We’ve crafted this AI Food Art prompt to explore how autumn-inspired dishes come to life through photography, blending the comforting textures of pancakes and the luxurious drizzles of pumpkin spice syrup. From the golden hue of the syrup to the soft, pillowy pancakes, the prompt invites you to focus on the textures and the depth of the scene to create a truly mouthwatering image.
Photography Prompt:
“Imagine a stack of fluffy, golden pumpkin spice pancakes with syrup cascading down in thick ribbons, slowly soaking into the delicate layers. Capture the moment from an overhead angle, with a slight tilt to the side to reveal the syrup’s glossy sheen as it pools at the base of the pancakes. The whipped cream should appear slightly melted, creating a creamy contrast against the rich orange of the pumpkin puree in the syrup. Use a wide aperture (f/3.0) to keep the pancakes in crisp focus, while gently blurring the plate’s edges for a dreamy bokeh effect. Illuminate from the side with soft, warm light that spills over the whipped cream and highlights the edges of the pancakes. For added drama, place a single cinnamon stick on the plate, angled slightly toward the viewer. The syrup should be shot from a low angle to create depth, with the light hitting the syrup from the side, casting soft shadows and creating a lustrous, golden glow on the surface of the pancakes.”
Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup:
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Make the Pancake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and melted butter. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently until smooth.
- Cook the Pancakes: Heat a griddle or large non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or cooking spray. Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Keep pancakes warm while you make the syrup.
- Make the Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the brewed coffee, heavy cream, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens slightly.
- Assemble the Dish: Stack the pancakes on a plate, drizzle with the homemade pumpkin spice latte syrup, and top with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon for an extra touch of spice.
- Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy the rich flavors of pumpkin spice latte in every bite of these decadent pancakes!
About our Winter 2025 Arts program
As part of our Food Art Fridays series, this challenge is not just about creating stunning food imagery—it’s about exploring the broader landscape of digital literacy, media arts and how generative AI tools are shaping the future of creativity. Engaging with AI to craft these images, artists develop a deeper understanding of AI-assisted design, digital media, and visual storytelling. This exploration fosters critical skills in creative problem-solving, prompt crafting, and mastering new technology, empowering artists to push the boundaries of their craft while enhancing their digital fluency. Through this process, we’re not only creating art but also learning to navigate the evolving intersection of technology and creativity. Our 2025 Winter and Fall program activities are supported by the OpenAI Researcher Access Program and the Manitoba Arts Council.