Winter Brunch Orange Spiced Pancakes Recipe

Winter Brunch Orange Spiced Pancakes Recipe

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Update: This post originally ran February 8th, 2015. I have been making these lately and decided to update the photography and tweak the recipe just a tad.

Last week, we discussed how cinnamon sweeps away the winter blues in a swift hush from the corners of the earth. Today, we are using cinnamon yet again, but this time in a pancake breakfast where a flourish of juicy oranges takes center stage.

I have a confession: I love carbs. Yes, as much as I exercise, it seems in the winter time I can't help myself. With the winter storm brewing last weekend, I couldn't help but indulge in sweet, sweet pancakes.

Pancakes are one of those decadent breakfast perfect for anytime really those cold winter mornings. When I was a kid, my dad would wake up every Sunday and make pancakes for the whole family before we headed off the church. Unfortunately, he often get them a little overcooked (But thank you for the loving thought, Daddy. I'm truly sorry for every time I didn't want to eat your pancakes.) so I grew up thinking I did not like pancakes.

I don't know when that changed. I think it was when a roommate from college made blueberry pancakes during a winter storm. Heh, maybe that is why I always want pancakes when it snows, but back to the point: pancakes are a real treat. One day, thanks to my produce co-op, I found myself with a few too many oranges and a huge craving for spiced pancakes.

What is a girl to do but indulge in all of the above? Hence, this recipe was born. If you ever doubted cinnamon and oranges are a delicious combo, chuck those ideas right out the window, because I am about to prove you wrong.

Fancy Orange Spiced Pancakes

• 2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 2  cups milk
• zest of one orange
• 3/4 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• Oil for frying

Do this the Liz way: dump all the ingredients into the mixer at once. Most people will tell you to keep dry and wet ingredients separate and then slowly add the wet or something.... nope. This is the lazy girl's pancakes. Heat your griddle or frying pan and lightly oil it. Drop a spoonful of batter onto the hot griddle. When the pancakes set and start to bubble, you know it's time to flip that baby and cook until it's as golden as an early spring sun. My brother says I should have created some sort of orange syrup for them, but for now, I am using plain old syrup from the store. Maybe someday I'll be so un-lazy as to make pancakes and my own syrup.

Serve with Cinnamon Vanilla Lattes.

What's your favorite winter brunch? Does it involve sweet, sweet carbs, or are you a little healthier than me? Should I try other spices or fruits in my pancakes? Let me know!


Stay beautiful,

XOXO Liz

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