Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Cream

I really love these cupcakes, they are so moist and light. The raspberry cream adds another dimension that makes them a taste sensation. If you don't like raspberry you could use blueberries, or even blackberries. I don't know how well strawberry would work. Give these a try, they are very light and refreshing. :)

Lemon Cupcakes:

* 1 1/3 cups flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 6 tablespoons butter, softened
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 tablespoon ground lemon zest
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350F; Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.

To make the batter whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl; set aside.

In medium bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy.

With mixer on high speed, gradually beat in sugar, and continue beating until mixture is very light and fluffy.

Lower speed to medium, beat in eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended, then beat in lemon juice, and zest and extract.

Lower speed to low, alternately beat in flour mixture and sour cream, beating just until blended.

Bake cakes about 20 minutes.

Raspberry Cream:

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/2 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 10 oz. bag frozen unsweetened raspberries

Thaw raspberries; When thawed, blend in a blender until pureed.

Place sieve over a bowl, strain raspberry puree. With a rubber spatula press the sides of the sieve to get all the juice out.

Mix whipped cream until soft peaks form, add 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup of sugar depending on how sweet you'd like it to the whipped cream. Once heavy peaks form, spoon in the strained raspberry puree a little at a time into the whipped cream and continue to whip with the mixer. Once you've added as much raspberry as you'd like, cut the cupcakes in half and dollop the raspberry cream between the two halves. Dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Sore Throat Remedy

Okay, so I have a sore throat right now, and my sister made me this remedy... It doesn't taste very good, but it really helps. It numbs the throat a little bit, and it soothes the soreness.

1/2 - 1 shot whiskey
1/2 lemon juiced
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons honey
Wedge of lemon
Boiling water

In a mug, add half a shot to one shot of whiskey.

Add the juice of half a lemon.

Add sugar and honey, and stir the mixture.

Add the boiling water to fill the mug 3/4 of the way full, and stir.

You can float the wedge of lemon in your glass for a little bit to add more lemon if you'd like, if it starts to taste bitter, take the lemon wedge out.

Now, it's going to be hard to drink it, but you need to drink it warm. The warmth helps, and if you want you can take two 500 mg tylenol (paracetamol in Europe) right before drinking this remedy.

It seriously helps, my throat was cured for a bit, and it helped me sleep throughout the night. The whiskey helped me sleep.