Neapolitan Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk (reserve white for white portion of cupcake)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 7 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• Seeds of 1/2 large vanilla bean
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/2 cup milk (anything but skim)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp strawberry puree
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, nearly at room temperature
• 1/4 cup salted butter, nearly at room temperature
• 2 1/2 – 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 drops red food coloring (optional)