Orange Maple Pancakes & Syrup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Syrup
1 1/2 cups maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour or 1 cup whole wheat flour, and
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar or 1 tablespoon Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

To make the syrup, combine maple syrup, vanilla, orange juice, and zest in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove when hot (do not allow to boil). Keep warm.
To make the pancakes, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add milk, orange juice, maple syrup, zest, butter, and eggs. Stir just until combined (little lumps are okay).
Heat a griddle or a 12- to 14-inch skillet over a medium flame. When hot, brush lightly with vegetable oil. Using a 1/4-cup measure, pour batter onto hot griddle, making a few pancakes at a time. Cook until big bubbles form on top and edges are golden. Flip with a spatula and continue cooking until undersides are also golden.Transfer serving plate.
Repeat with remaining batter, brushing griddle with additional oil if pancakes begin to stick. Serve warm with butter and orange-maple syrup.