The Art of Chocolate On Valentine’s Day

This AI Food Art Friday, we explore the romance of chocolate through an experimental lens, capturing the textures, depth, and richness of this timeless indulgence. From molten drizzles to cocoa-dusted truffles, every detail is designed to evoke warmth, passion, and the undeniable allure of chocolate.

AI Food Prompt Friday is all about blending digital literacy, culinary creativity, and AI-generated art to reimagine how we think about food. It’s a space where technology and gastronomy collide, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible both visually and in the kitchen. Each week, we craft highly detailed, imaginative food prompts—some surreal, some rooted in tradition—all designed to inspire stunning AI-generated visuals while staying grounded in dishes that can be recreated in real life. It’s an experiment in storytelling, flavor fusion, and artistic exploration, challenging us to see food in a whole new way.

At its core, AI Food Prompt Friday is about having fun and fostering creativity. It encourages digital literacy by showing how AI can be used as a tool for inspiration rather than replacement. By designing fusion dishes that balance bold flavors with artistic presentation, we celebrate the intersection of technology and human ingenuity. Whether it’s a futuristic chocolate dessert inspired by an otherworldly candy metropolis or a reinvented classic with unexpected ingredients, each creation invites us to think outside the box and bring AI-driven ideas to life in our own kitchens.

This Week’s AI Food Prompt:

“Step into an ultra-realistic world sculpted from chocolate and candy, where waves of glossy dark chocolate cascade like molten lava, golden caramel cliffs glisten under a sugar-spun sky, and coconut dust drifts like fine snow over cocoa-dusted landscapes. Towering sugar-crystal palms sway beside pools of velvety ganache, reflecting the warm, golden glow of a caramel-hued horizon. In the foreground, a breathtaking Toasted Coconut, Pineapple & Chocolate Gateau takes center stage—an elegant fusion of tropical vibrance and deep chocolate indulgence. Alternating layers of coconut-infused chocolate sponge, tangy pineapple jam, and silky dark chocolate ganache create a mesmerizing cross-section of textures and flavors. The cake is adorned with delicate caramelized pineapple flowers, their translucent edges glowing like amber in the soft light.”

A Recipe for Toasted Coconut, Pineapple & Chocolate Gateau

A decadent fusion of rich chocolate, tropical pineapple, and toasted coconut, wrapped in a deep red mirror glaze for the perfect Valentine’s Day centerpiece.

Ingredients

For the Coconut-Infused Chocolate Sponge:

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) coconut milk
• ⅓ cup (80ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (45g) toasted shredded coconut

For the Pineapple Jam Filling:

• 2 cups (480g) fresh or canned pineapple, finely chopped
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

For the Dark Chocolate Ganache:

• 8 oz (225g) dark chocolate, chopped
• ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Red Mirror Glaze:

• ½ cup (120ml) water
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (160g) sweetened condensed milk
• 3.5 oz (100g) white chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp powdered gelatin
• 3 tbsp cold water (for blooming gelatin)
• Red gel food coloring

For Garnish:

• Caramelized pineapple flowers
• Fresh raspberries and macerated strawberries
• Edible gold leaf (optional)
• White chocolate curls

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Chocolate Sponge

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch (20cm) cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk coconut milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly mix into the dry ingredients.
4. Fold in toasted coconut.
5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Pineapple Jam

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Add cornstarch if needed.
3. Let cool completely before using.

Step 3: Make the Dark Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until just simmering.
2. Pour over chopped dark chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.
3. Stir until smooth, then mix in butter. Let cool to a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one sponge layer on a serving plate. Spread an even layer of ganache, then add pineapple jam.
2. Place the second sponge on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining ganache. Chill for 1 hour.

Step 5: Prepare the Red Mirror Glaze

1. Bloom the gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes.
2. In a saucepan, heat water, sugar, and condensed milk over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in bloomed gelatin until dissolved.
4. Pour over white chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes, then blend with an immersion blender.
5. Add red food coloring until deep crimson. Let cool to 90°F (32°C).

Step 6: Glaze and Decorate

1. Place the chilled cake on a wire rack over a tray.
2. Pour the mirror glaze evenly over the cake, letting excess drip off.
3. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with caramelized pineapple flowers, berries, white chocolate curls, and edible gold leaf.

Serving & Storage

• Let the cake set for 20 minutes before slicing.
• Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This luxurious Toasted Coconut, Pineapple & Chocolate Gateau is the ultimate Valentine’s indulgence, blending rich chocolate, tropical flavors, and a breathtaking red mirror glaze. Would you try making it?

About our Winter 2025 Arts program

As part of our Food Art AI 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.