Now that we’ve legalized cannabis, people have searched for even more creative ways to enjoy it. It’s already a billion dollar industry, and it could even rival the alcohol industry in a few years, fueled in part by the explosion of interest in cannabis edibles. One way they stand out from other forms of cannabis is just how easy and accessible it is to make cannabis edibles at home.
So if you want to make edibles from the comfort of your own home, check out these nine simple recipes to begin creating your very own cannabis-infused edible treats!
Why Make Edibles Yourself?
Edibles can give you a more potent high and longer-lasting experience than vape pens, oils, and blunts, which provide a quick hit that usually leaves your system in 1 to 3 hours.
The process of getting high off an edible is very different than smoking or vaping. The edible needs to be digested first, then it’s further broken down in your liver. While the onset of the high might take a little longer, it’s more pronounced with the right dosage, and it can last much longer compared to other methods that send the leaf’s compounds on a more direct route to your brain.
How to Make Cannabutter
Cannabis-infused butter, or cannabutter, is at the core of many cannabis-infused edibles. However, making it involves more than just churning your regular dairy. You have to cook it low and slow to maximize the psychoactive potential of cannabis.
You’re going to need:
- 7-10 grams of ground-up cannabis
- A cup of regular butter
- A cheesecloth or coffee filter
First step: Decarb your cannabis
Your cannabis will need to be decarboxylated or ‘decarbed’ first. This is done by baking the cannabis at 245 degrees. The heat activates the cannabis compounds because, without decarboxylation, your edibles won’t get you high.
If you already have decarboxylated cannabis, then proceed to the next step.
There are other methods of making cannabutter that tell you to decarb your weed in hot butter. Still, we recommend decarbing it separately because it keeps the cannabutter from having a strong weed taste as some people can find it off-putting.
- Place your ground cannabis on a non-stick tray lined with parchment paper and put it in your oven, preheated to 245 degrees
- Mix it every 10 minutes by shaking the tray to give the unexposed parts time to cook.
- Let it heat for 30 to 40 minutes.
Next, add the decarbed weed to your butter
Since your weed has been decarbed, you can infuse it in your butter by following these easy steps:
- Dissolve the butter by mixing it with one cup of water and letting it simmer in a saucepan on low heat.
- Gradually mix the cannabis with the melting butter and let it simmer for 2 to 3 hours. Do not allow the mixture to come to a full boil. Maintain a heat above 160 degrees. If you have a deep-fry thermometer, measure the temperature to keep it consistent.
- Strain the mixture with cheesecloth or coffee filter on top of a funnel. Do not squeeze the cheesecloth, as it will give your butter a bitter taste.
- Refrigerate your butter for an hour and remove any excess water.
Now, your infused cannabutter is ready to use as a base for all your edibles!
For more detailed instructions on making your own cannabutter, click here.
How to make infused oil
If you’d rather avoid butter because of its high saturated fat content or due to dietary preferences like being vegan or lactose intolerant, making your own infused oil is another option that works just as well as butter for most things.
Virgin coconut oil is one of the cannabis industry’s favourite products for its high concentration of good fats. Don’t worry too much about its high saturated fat content, as most of it is digestible and beneficial to your body. In fact, coconut oil actually boosts the level of the good ‘HDL’ cholesterol, according to the Harvard Medical School.
Coconut oil also makes a great binding agent for THC and other cannabinoids in your favourite edibles.
To make oil for edibles, you need:
- 7-10 grams of cannabis flower (ground)
- 1 cup of coconut oil
Follow these steps:
- Grind the cannabis plant, but keep the pieces large enough that they won’t fit through a strainer.
- Decarb your weed by combining it with a cup of coconut oil and leaving it in a slow cooker on low heat for 6 hours. Make sure to stir it occasionally.
- Strain the plant material from your oil using a cheesecloth over a funnel.
Easy Cannabis Edibles to Make at Home
1. Edible Gummies
People have made edible gummies since before marijuana was legal. Many companies have also tried to teach people how to make edible gummy worms and other gummy shapes and creatures.
You can make gummies that suit your palate from the comfort of your home. You can even make THC Cola bottle gummies. If you do, keep a few things in mind.
First, you can’t use cannabutter when making edible gummies. Instead, you need to use your cannabis-infused coconut oil to get the right flavour and consistency. You also need a gummy bear mould, sunflower oil, and flavoured and unflavored gelatin.
You can easily make a lot of edible gummies in one sitting. You might also find yourself eating more than you intend at once, so remember to pace yourself before you get hooked on that sugary goodness.
2. Chocolate Edibles with Coconut Oil
Is there anything better than marijuana and chocolate? Chocolate cannabis edibles make a delectable treat that packs a robust hit without the ashy aftertaste that lingers after you smoke.
You can find plenty of recipes to teach you how to make chocolate edibles with coconut oil, but it all comes down to preference.
Some people prefer a bitter, darker blend of marijuana and chocolate, while others like a sweet truffle bar that can get them high. Chocolate edibles are delicious no matter how you make them, so start experimenting and find your favourite flavour today. Check out MOTA chocolate bars for an example.
3. Cannabis Brownies
One of the first and most popular edibles to come out in popular culture, cannabis brownies, aka hash brownies, are a classic fix for anyone with a sweet tooth. All brownies come with a substantial helping of oil or butter, so find your favourite brownie recipe and replace regular butter with the same measurement of cannabutter or cannabis-infused oil, and make them as usual.
You can find thousands of brownie recipes on the internet. Some people like them fudgy, while others like them refrigerated and dry. Still, the best brownie edibles always feature quality chocolate and cannabutter that you can refine to your taste.
4. Firecracker Edibles
If you want to know the fastest way to make edibles, a firecracker beats them all. All you need is a graham cracker, some peanut butter, Nutella, and a gram of weed.
Start by breaking the cracker in two. Then spread your Nutella on one half and the peanut butter on the other, and sprinkle your ground weed on the cracker or mix it with the spread.
Finally, put it in the oven for 22 minutes. Afterward, you’ll have a delicious cannabis-infused treat in record time.
5. Weed-Infused Bacon Strips
Bacon is a timeless treat that everyone loves, from breakfast food aficionados to keto practitioners. Its hearty, savoury mix of salt and fat can keep you satiated for longer than some sweet treats with the same amount of calories.
Adding weed to your bacon will help you keep things interesting with the most important meal of the day. It can give you a new way to enjoy your favourite breakfast staple, even if you’ve loved bacon since childhood.
Before placing your bacon in the oven, sprinkle some decarboxylated weed on top of it. Bake for 10 minutes at 275 degrees, then flip and sprinkle more on the other side. Resume baking for another 10 minutes.
6. Cannabis Ice Cream
When you’ve already eaten all your baked goods, sometimes you want to spice up your home dessert menu. Cannabis ice cream gives you a refreshing way to cap off your meal, and it makes a great snack on its own, too.
To make weed ice cream, you’ll need to melt some cannabutter with sugar. Then, combine that mixture with about 16 ounces of heavy whipping cream in a separate pan.
Mix thoroughly and introduce your choice of toppings. You can add nuts, fruits, or even weed-infused brownie chunks for a more intense and longer-lasting high.
7. Cannabis-Infused Tea
Cannabis tea works well when you drink it with crackers, brownies, or even breakfast as a coffee substitute. Infused tea also makes an excellent option for people who want a tasty but low calorie high. Just avoid sugar and other additional sweeteners, and you don’t have to worry about your diet when you drink it.
If you’re on the ketogenic diet, you’ll find that cannabis-infused tea gives you a relaxing break in the afternoon or evening. Consider it the tea version of bulletproof coffee. Simply brew your tea and stir a teaspoon of cannabutter into the cup. Then you can sweeten it with honey, milk, or any healthy sweetener.
8. Cannabis Milk
Milk is rich in calcium, B-vitamins, and many other nutrients many adults neglect. To infuse your milk with weed, let it simmer in a saucepan on low heat and add your decarboxylated weed. Then, leave it at a low boil for 45 minutes.
Let the milk cool for 10 minutes after removing it from the heat. Strain it with a cheesecloth or a strainer, and add it to your cereal or oatmeal in the morning.
9. Diabetic-Safe Cannabis Protein Bars
If you want to make dab edibles or make edibles with shake, diabetic-safe cannabis protein bars make the ideal snack. Substitute the cannabutter in this recipe with regular butter, and add in your shake or dab to your preferred dose.
Melt two tablespoons of sugar-free peanut butter in the microwave, and then combine it with half a teaspoon of liquid Splenda or stevia. Add one scoop of vanilla protein powder, and soon, you can shape it into a ball.
Knead the ball for a few moments, and then separate into four portions. Last, place it in the refrigerator until it’s stiffened.
