Hey, Tuesday! I hope everyone that had a long weekend here in the US had a great time. We went impromptu car shopping on Saturday (our beloved, old car kicked the bucket and refused to budge) and Sean left for a business trip Sunday. It was a busier, more emotional weekend than anticipated with the dying of the car and the need to find something in a single day. Which, in retrospect felt like a HUGE, overwhelming deal at the time, but now that things are back in order that huge deal has become NBD (I know, first world probs ya’ll).
I made these pancakes on Sunday as a little Hurray/Farewell, I think they helped AND I think that these are maybe my favorite pancakes ever. Sean always requests chocolate chip pancakes, they are his fave, and since we’re big fans of the classic orange-chocolate combo, I added the zest and juice of an orange for good measure. This pancake recipe is a breezey wet+dry situation and, with the addition of chocolate and orange, they are the kind of special that’s made easy. The pancakes cook up fluffy and tender and perfect. The decadent mix-ins make them irresistible even without syrup and butter, but there’s no judgement if you want a little extra sweetness. Sometimes you need it, ya know?
Orange Chocolate Chip Pancakes
adapted from Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys
Make about 20, 3-inch pancakes
I add the juice from the orange to the milk–much like I would to make a buttermilk replacement with lemon and milk in a recipe. The acid from the orange may curdle the milk a bit, but that’s totally fine, go with it. If there isn’t enough orange juice to make 1/4 cup add store-bought orange juice to make up the difference or when mixing with the milk, add a bit more milk to make 1 1/4 cup total of liquid. I like mini chips in my pancakes because they suspend in the batter and are less likely to burn on the bottom of the pan.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
generous 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup orange juice (squeezed from the zested orange)
1 cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
vegetable oil, for brushing the pan
maple syrup and butter, for serving
Preheat the oven to 200˚F, place an oven safe dish on the middle rack.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Toss in the chips and coat lightly with the flour mixture. Set aside. In a large measuring cup whisk together the orange zest, juice, and milk. Whisk in the egg and vanilla, to combine well. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and pour the milk mixture into the center of the well. Add the butter and fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until just combined–there may be a few small lumps, that’s okay. Do not overmix! or your pancakes will turn out chewy. Allow the batter to rest 5-10 minutes.
Heat a skillet (I use nonstick) or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly brush the surface of the skillet with oil and pour in a scant 1/4 cup of batter, cook until bubbles begin to form all over the surface of the batter and the bottom is medium, golden brown. Flip the pancake and cook an additional minute or until the middles of the pancake are cooked through. Place the cooked pancake on the warmed plate in the oven. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm with butter and syrup.
I have a feeling these will be my new fave. And I almost always have chocolate and oranges at home! I need these this weekend, on the real.
he’ll yeah, you do!
Oh my gosh. I don’t even have to try them to know they’d be my favorite too!
Congrats on the new ride! I hear you, though. I hate all and any Car Things.
yes! I thought these might be your thing! and thanks, I hate car-stuffs too, worst!
I love pancakes))) Photoes are very nice)))
thanks, Elen!
Cindy! These look so good I can’t handle it. I’m so happy you’re recovering from your pancake hate!
yeah, I’m in a 12-step, 12-pancake program. that’s where I eat pancakes until I love them.
Orange and chocolate is such a great combination–I’m excited to see it in a pancake! I can just see myself eating a stack for a late-night dessert. 🙂
these would be perfect late-night fare!
These look totally wicked. I love the orange/chocolate combo! PS. Congrats on the new car! 🙂
thanks Amanda, on all fronts!
I absolutely never get tired of eating pancakes. I can’t wait to try a new incarnation, and to get the breakfast chocolate that my diet so sorely lacks at the moment.
breakfast chocolate happens 🙂
Pancakes are the best! I have fallen in love with them all over again as a quick dinner.
nice!
Cindy – I am totally trying these over the weekend! We are on a serious pancake kick these days – pancakes at least one day a weekend, so I love ideas for new, creative combinations. Fantastic idea (and photos), as always!
yes! I hope you do! thanks, Jess!
yum! these look delicious – going to make them right now!
YES!
Love the citrus addition! Makes these sound so light and refreshing. And chocolate is never a bad thing 🙂
thanks Katie!
Love these! I could go for a huge stack of them right about now. When I make really sweet pancakes I sometimes like to top them with whipped cream instead of syrup. Still sweet of course, but somehow less tooth-achingly so!
yes! whipped cream sounds perfect!
First world problems… seriously the story of my life. But, on the bright side, pancakes! Mmm, these pancakes look so fluffy and delicious. I have to try out this recipe next Sunday morning. Do you have any pancake flippin’ tricks? I always end up with thin ones and a pan streaked with batter crisps!
I just try to cook them on the first side until the batter has firmed up a bit…but I still get splatters every once in a while. Thanks Nicole!
CINDY! It has been too long. I suddenly needed my Cindy fix and headed on over. Gorgeous as always and I was so happy to see all your lovely clicks. These pancakes look so fluffy and delicious. Now I’m settling in with a cup of tea and plan to browse a bit. I’ve got some catching up to do!
yay! welcome back Terris!
Sucks on the car troubles but at least you got a new car out of it. Pancakes for dinner are a common occurrence in my house and I am alway on the lookout for new twists like this recipe. Orange juice in the batter sounds delicious!
thanks, Nicole!
They look absolutely delicious, but I have one question is it necessary to put them in the oven or is it just to keep them warm?
it’s just to keep them warm for serving 🙂 Thanks, Jo!
and they are as delicious as they look 🙂 definitely going to make these again
yay! great! thank you so much!
We just had these as breakfast-for-dinner. I love how fluffy they are!