Cannabis has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its medicinal and recreational benefits. One way to consume cannabis is through edibles, which are foods that have been infused with cannabis. Cookies are a classic edible option, but can you just put weed into cookies? In this blog post, we will explore how to make cannabis-infused cookies, dosing guidelines, and some tips and tricks for baking with cannabis.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Cookies
To make cannabis-infused cookies, the key ingredient is cannabutter or cannaoil. Cannabutter is a combination of regular butter and cannabis, while cannaoil is cannabis-infused oil. You can purchase pre-made cannabutter or cannaoil at a dispensary, or you can make it yourself.
To make cannabutter, you will need:
– 1 cup of unsalted butter
– 1 cup of ground cannabis
1. Preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes to activate the THC.
3. Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan on low heat.
4. Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter.
5. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to remove the plant material.
7. Let the cannabutter cool and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
To make cannaoil, you will need:
– 1 cup of cooking oil (such as vegetable, coconut, or olive oil)
– 1 cup of ground cannabis
1. Preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes to activate the THC.
3. Combine the baked cannabis with the cooking oil in a saucepan on low heat.
4. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to remove the plant material.
6. Let the cannaoil cool and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Once you have your cannabutter or cannaoil, you can use it in any traditional cookie recipe. Simply swap out the regular butter or oil for the cannabutter or cannaoil. It’s important to keep in mind that the potency of your cookies will depend on the dosage of your cannabutter or cannaoil.
Dosing Guidelines
When it comes to dosing cannabis-infused cookies (or any edible), it’s essential to start low and go slow. The effects of edibles take longer to kick in than when smoking or vaping, and they can last for several hours.
According to Leafly, a reputable source for cannabis information, beginners should start with a dosage of 2.5-5mg of THC per serving. For more experienced users, a dosage of 10mg or more may be appropriate.
To calculate the dosage of your cannabis-infused cookies, you will need to know the potency of your cannabutter or cannaoil. The THC percentage of cannabis can range from 10%-30%, so it’s important to know what percentage you are using in your recipe.
For example, if you are using cannabutter with a THC percentage of 20% and you add 1 cup to your cookie recipe, then each tablespoon of cannabutter will contain approximately 100mg of THC. If you make 24 cookies with this recipe, then each cookie will contain approximately 4mg of THC.
It’s important to keep track of how much cannabis you are using in your recipe and how many servings you are making to calculate the correct dosage. Start with a low dosage and wait for at least 2 hours before consuming more.
Tips and Tricks
Baking with cannabis can be a delicate process, and there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure that your cookies turn out well.
1. Use the correct dosing: As mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to know the correct dosage of your cannabutter or cannaoil to ensure that your cookies are not too potent or too weak.
2. Mix well: When incorporating the cannabutter or cannaoil into your cookie dough, make sure to mix well to ensure that the cannabinoids are evenly distributed.
3. Don’t overheat: Overheating cannabis can cause it to lose potency, so it’s important to keep the baking temperature low. Bake your cookies at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
4. Be patient: The effects of edibles take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping, so be patient and wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can just put weed into cookies, but it’s essential to know how to properly make cannabis-infused ingredients and calculate the correct dosage. Remember to start with a low dosage, mix the cannabutter or cannaoil well, be patient, and follow the dosing guidelines to enjoy the benefits of cannabis-infused cookies. Happy baking!
FAQ
How much weed do you get from a batch of cookies?
When it comes to making cannabis-infused cookies, the most common dilemma is how much weed to use for a single batch of cookies. The amount of cannabis used in making each batch of cookies can vary depending on the strength, type, potency, and efficiency of the strain used, as well as the desired effects and tolerance level of the person who will consume the cookies.
The standard amount of cannabis used in a single batch of cookies is usually one eighth or 3.5 grams, which can be adjusted according to the desired dosage and number of cookies needed. For example, if you’re making 12 cookies, adding 3.5 grams of cannabis will give you about 0.29 grams of cannabis per cookie, which is equivalent to 29.1 mg per cookie.
If you want smaller cookies, you can divide the dough into smaller portions so you can bake more, so theoretically, you could get twice the amount of cookies if you make them smaller. Using the same amount of cannabis for the 24 cookies will result in each cookie containing about 14.5 mg of THC.
It’s important to note that the potency of the cannabis will greatly affect the potency of the cookies. If your cannabis is at 24% potency, you will have 240 mg of cannabis in one gram. Using this level of potency would yield 12 cookies with 60mg of THC per cookie or 24 cookies with 30mg per cookie.
Therefore, when determining how much weed to use for a batch of cookies, it’s essential to consider the potency of the cannabis and the desired effects of the cookies. Start with a lower dosage and adjust accordingly until you find the perfect balance for your desired effects. It’s also crucial to label your edibles clearly and keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
Why am I not feeling anything on edibles?
Many people consume edibles with the expectation of experiencing a more potent and longer-lasting high compared to smoking or vaping cannabis. However, there are times when you may not feel anything after consuming an edible, even though you may have consumed within the recommended dosage range.
One main reason why you may not be feeling any effects from your edibles is that you’re not waiting long enough. Unlike smoking or vaping, where the effects are almost immediate, consuming edibles takes time to metabolize. It can take as long as forty-five minutes to two hours to feel anything due to the metabolic rate of the user. Therefore, you should be patient after eating an edible and let your body digest it before assuming that it’s not effective.
Another reason why you may not feel anything on edibles is that you may not have consumed sufficient amounts to evoke any significant effects. The effects of edibles can differ from one user to another, and it is usually difficult to determine the right dosage. Start slowly with a small dosage and give it time to take effect. If you don’t feel any effect, try increasing the amount gradually until it suits your needs.
It’s also possible that the edibles you consumed may not be potent enough. The potency of edibles varies depending on numerous factors. These may include the strain of the cannabis used, the quality of the cannabis product, the cooking method, and the time and temperature used in the preparation. Therefore, to ensure that you get the most effective and potent edibles, try using high-quality cannabis products with potent strains and from reputable edibles manufacturers.
Finally, your metabolism, health, and diet can also affect how edibles affect you. Different factors, such as bodyweight, metabolism, frequency of use, tolerance levels, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions, can change how edibles affect you. Additionally, certain types of food can affect the rate at which the body processes edibles. Therefore, it’s paramount to pay attention to your general lifestyle and how it may affect the way edibles affect you.
Several factors can influence whether you feel anything on edibles, including your metabolism, dosage, quality of product, and personal lifestyle. To ensure that you get the best possible experience when using edibles, start slowly with a small dosage and give it time to take effect, use high-quality cannabis products, and be mindful of your lifestyle and any pre-existing medical conditions. Remember to be patient and exercise caution when consuming edibles, and always consult your healthcare professional before trying anything new.
Do you have to Decarb weed to make brownies?
Decarbing or decarboxylation is an essential step in the process of making cannabis brownies or any other cannabis-infused treats. Without this step, your homemade edibles will be, at best, ineffective or at worst, a waste of your precious buds. Hence decarbing of weed is a vital first step to baking cannabis brownies if you are making your own cannabutter or infused oil for the recipe.
Decarboxylation is a natural process that simply involves exposure to heat. However, when you combust your cannabis flowers, this process happens instantly. Since you do not combust your cannabis when making edibles, you need to apply heat, low and slow, to activate the psychoactive compounds in the plant material.
To explain in very simple terms why this process is so crucial, you will not get high from your edible if you do not decarb your cannabis first. When you consume cannabis, the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the ‘high’ is THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. In raw cannabis, THC is not present but is found in its precursor form called THCA or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. THCA is a non-intoxicating compound, meaning it cannot get you high or produce any known psychoactive effects.
The heat that is applied during the decarboxylation process removes a carboxylic acid molecule from THCA, which converts it into THC. This activation of THC is the reason why you have to decarb your weed before making cannabis brownies or other edibles. If you skip this step, your body will not absorb THC and you won’t experience the characteristic high associated with the effects of cannabis.
The decarboxylation process is simple, and you can choose among different methods to decarb your weed. When making cannabis brownies at home, many people prefer to decarb their weed in the oven before adding it to their recipe. The oven method involves spreading the cannabis flower out on a baking sheet and heating it at a low temperature for a set amount of time. Once decarbed, you can use this activated cannabis to make cannabutter or infused oil, which you can then use in your recipe.
Decarboxylation is a non-negotiable first step in making cannabis brownies that yield the desired effects. Without decarboxylation, your THC-rich buds will be non-intoxicating and you will not get the high that you are looking for, which will effectively render your edible useless. Therefore, decarbing your weed is an essential step in making cannabis-infused brownies, and it is not something that can or should be skipped.