Chocolate Cardamom Pancakes with Orange Glaze

Cooking with different spices is a great way to grow as a cook/baker.  Cardamom is one of the newest spices in my cabinet that I've started playing with. I first discovered it when I was making an Ethiopian recipe which called for a spice rub called Berbere.  Since I had cardamom I decided to continue to experiment with it. 

And then there is Valentine's Day.

Since Valentine's is on the horizon I wanted to create a new recipe for a romantic breakfast as a follow-up to last year's chocolate pancakes with caramel banana topping.  I stayed with the chocolate because there is no better excuse to have chocolate for breakfast than Valentine's Weekend. As I contemplated a new recipe, I thought of the spiciness of the cardamom and how it would go so well with the cocoa powder and an orange glaze to top.

I was right. You will love this combination for a special breakfast on Valentine's Day. These chocolate pancakes aren't too sweet which is good, because the glaze will provide a brightness and add the sweetness you need.

Chocolate Cardamom Pancakes with Orange Glaze

2 cups self-rising flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

5 tbsp sugar

1 tsp cardamom

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups whole milk

Orange Glaze

1 cup orange juice

1 cup sugar

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar  and cardamom in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs and milk and whisk. Take a large cookie scoop (or just a ladle if you don't care about how uniform they are) and pour batter in a preheated pan/skillet on medium to medium high heat. Garnish pancakes with fresh mandarin orange slices and orange glaze.

For the orange glaze combine the sugar and the orange juice in a sauce pan on medium high heat. Reduce down until the sugar is dissolved and the consistency is syrup-like. Let cool slightly before pouring over the pancakes.