Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting {Almond Joy Cupcakes}

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup

cocoa powder

1 tsp

baking soda

1 cup

boiling water

1/2 cup

butter (, melted)

1/3 cup

vegetable or canola oil

1 3/4 cups

granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

3/4 tsp

salt

large eggs

large egg yolks

1/2 cup

heavy cream

1 3/4 cups

all-purpose flour

1 cup

butter (, at room temperature)

1/4 cup

coconut milk ((canned, well shaken))

1 tsp

coconut extract

4 cups

powdered sugar

3/4 cup

sweetned (, shredded coconut, (optionally ground in a food processor for smaller pieces))

1 cup

sliced almonds or 24 whole almonds

milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips (, optional)