Dessert: Chocolate Puddings with Orange Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 1/2 cups whole milk, divided
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (do not exceed 61% cacao) or semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
Test-kitchen tip: If you don't have orange liqueur on hand, skip the orange peel and use another liqueur. Kahlúa or amaretto would work well in this recipe.

Instructions

Whisk 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan to blend. Add 1/2 cup milk and egg yolks; whisk until smooth. Whisk in remaining 2 cups milk. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove pan from heat; add chocolate chips and butter. Whisk pudding until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla.
Divide pudding evenly among 6 dessert cups or wineglasses. Place plastic wrap directly onto surface of each, covering pudding completely. Chill until cold, at least 3 hours. DO AHEAD: can be made up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
Using electric mixer, beat whipping cream, Grand Marnier, orange peel, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in medium bowl until peaks form. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
Uncover puddings. Spoon dollop of whipped cream over each and serve.