I’ve been thinking for a while about the combination of chocolate and orange in a pancake dish.

After researching a few different recipes, this is what I’ve come up with: choc-chip pancakes with orange butter, orange segments and candied orange peel.

And I’m very happy with the results, as is my family!

Three out of the four components can be prepared the day before, which is handy if you don’t have a lot of time in the morning.

You can have this dish as a breakfast (which is what we did) or as a dessert; either way, it’s delicious!

Candied orange peel:

Cut the peel off three oranges, trying to avoid the white pith. Slice the peel into thin, long strips.

Add ¾ cup sugar and ¾ cup water into a saucepan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then add the sliced orange peel and gently simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain. Cool slightly. Place ¾ cup sugar on a baking tray and toss to coat.

Place peel on a separate tray, separating the pieces, to cool and dry.

This can be stored in an air-tight container.

** Recipe from taste.com.au

Orange butter:

In a mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine the fine zest of one orange, ¼ cup of caster sugar and ¾ cup soft, unsalted butter. Place on low heat and combine. Slowly add ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice and (optional) 1 tablespoon Cointreau (or other orange liqueur).

Mix until combined.

Place in a small bowl or ramekin and refrigerate until needed.

**Based on a recipe from The Food Network

Choc-chip pancakes:

Combine 1 cup plain flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 ¼ tablespoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon caster sugar, pinch of salt, 1 egg, 1 ¼ cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons butter, melted. Add ½ cup dark choc chips.

Heat pan over a medium heat and coat with melted butter or spray with oil. Pour approximately ¼ cup of mixture into the pan and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook the other side.

**Based on a Kambrook recipe

Orange segments:

Cut the top and bottom off an orange and peel, removing all the white pith. Cut segments between each membrane of the orange.

Now it’s time to plate up!

Place pancakes on the plate, along with a few orange segments, heat a dessert spoon and scoop out some orange butter, and then place the candied orange on top!

Yum!