How do you make a batter orange (in a natural way)

[foodsmith]

I'm looking to make some pancakes and I need for the batter to be orange. I do not want to use any artificial colorings. The batter needn't be fluorescent orange but it should be distinctly orange when compared to a traditional creamy colored batter/pancake.

Any ideas on how to achieve this? Is there any way to get the coloring from orange peel without using tons of it?

[Stuffed Monkey]

There are organic food coloring available on line just google organic food coloring, though I do like the idea of pumpkin pancakes.

[ipsedixit]

Add some Tang.

Or is that too artificial for you?

[MakingSense]

Oranges are dyed.

[goodhealthgourmet]

not all of them are, but that's a good point.

you can easily avoid the dyed ones - by law, any fruit (not just orange) that has been treated with dye has to be stamped "color added" to protect consumers who have allergies.

[MakingSense]

Sort of sad, isn't it?
People won't buy natural oranges. They expect oranges to be orange.
I think they dye lemons and limes too. That nice even color. Better than God can do...

[kchurchill5]

I've made pumpkin pancakes, not too orange. But do you mind me asking why you want them orange?

[alwayscooking]

Thought of another one - turmeric (on the older side so as not to impart too much flavor).

[goodhealthgourmet]

i liked your first suggestion better ;)

turmeric (and saffron, as others suggested) definitely turns foods more yellow than orange.

[goodhealthgourmet]

alwayscooking was right on - annatto extract or powder is your best bet. second choice would be pumpkin or pureed sweet potato if you don't mind the hint of flavor.

[sassygirl]

I haven't made pancakes in a while but what about heating some of the milk with saffron threads - the strain them out? I doubt it will impart much saffron flavor, especially if you are adding orange zest anyway.

[pikawicca]

Use free-range eggs.

[Analisas mom]

Add some pumpkin to your batter.

[amyzan]

Replace part of the liquid with carrot juice. If you're making buttermilk pancakes, I cannot vouch for whether or not they'll rise properly, however. This might work better for a sweet milk recipe.

[alwayscooking]

Annatto

[foodsmith]

Awesome. This is tasteless? Any side effects from it? Is it an herb with any healing properties or health effects that I should need to consider?

[alwayscooking]

To me it doesn't have a flavor but I use it with a strong olive oil. It is natural but I read on wiki that some people with food dye reactions may have a problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annatto