Cannabutter! The foundation of all cannabis infused dishes are born from the lovely concoction of cannabinoids. Butter itself is an ingredient I like to think of as greasing the wheels of any dish you are cooking. Butter is the glue of any meal, where all the seasonings are able to find their point of entry to the meal they are marinating. Infused butters and oils carry THC into our meals to not only satisfy our palates but our endocannabinoid system as well. Let’s explore what makes an infused butter the success it can be.
In order to infuse, choose the medium of which you would like to infuse such as an oil or butter of your choice.
Making Cannabutter
Ivy Hall is a privileged dispensary because of the passion of the team members and how they have an insatiable need to collect knowledge about the marijuana plant not only to learn for their own education but to be able to educate others as well.
Destiny Aaron, one of our leaders at Ivy Hall has continued to wow her coworkers with the delectable dank treats. Destiny has contributed her oil infusion method and at least one of her recipes to this blog post to give readers a place to start on their infusion journey.
Here is what you will need to get started:
Cannabutter Recipe
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Cannabutter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 7 grams of ground cannabis (decarboxylated)
- Water
Instructions
- Before starting infusion you will need to decarboxylate your flower. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C), then spread your finely ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet.
- You will bake for 35-40 minutes, be sure to stir the flower every 10 minutes to ensure even decarboxylation. The cannabis will shortly become dry and crumbly.
Now that we have decarboxylated our flower, we are now ready to start the infusion process! There are multiple ways to infuse oil or butter, below we have two different methods you can try for yourself and figure out which one gives you the result you are looking for! The first way uses a saucepan and the latter uses a slow cooker or double boiler.
Cannabutter Infusion Methods
Cannabutter Saucepan Recipe
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Cannabutter Saucepan Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of butter
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of butter. Simmer on low heat until the butter is melted.
- Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter. Maintain low heat and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the mixture never comes to a full boil; keep it at a gentle simmer.
Cannabutter Slowcooker or Double Boiler Recipe
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Cannabutter Slowcooker or Double Boiler Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- First place the carrier oil and decarboxylated cannabis in a slow cooker or a double boiler. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
- The following step for both of these methods is straining out the plant matter from the fat.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or container. Squeeze or press the plant material to extract as much infused butter as possible.
- Allow the butter to cool. Once cooled, it will solidify, and you can remove any remaining water.
- With storage, store your infused butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use it as you would regular butter in your favorite recipes.
Remember to start with a small amount when using your infused butter, you can also add more later.
Cannabis Oil Recipe
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The Ultimate Guide to Making Cannabutter
Description
Making infused oil involves a process similar to that of making infused butter. Here’s a basic recipe for cannabis-infused oil:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or any oil of your choice)
- .5 gram – 1 gram of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and/or Full Spectrum Hash Oil (FSHO)
- A heatproof bowl (glass or stainless steel)
- 1–2 Tabelspoons of water
- Optional: a slow cooker or double boiler
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the carrier oil and RSO/FSHO -Simmer on low for 15-20 min, stirring occasionally. Keep the heat low to avoid boiling the mixture.
- Allow the infused oil to cool. Once cooled, you can transfer it to a storage container. Store your infused oil in a cool, dark place. Use it as you would regular oil in your favorite recipes. Remember to start with a small amount when using your infused oil, as the potency can vary.
Notes
For a detailed cannabis oil recipe, review our full post on the topic.
Calculating the Potency of THC-Infused Oil
To calculate the potency of infused oil by volume of liquid, you can use the following formula:
- THC percentage in cannabis: This is the percentage of THC in the cannabis you use.
- Total weight of cannabis in grams: The amount of cannabis used in the infusion process.
- Extraction efficiency: A factor representing how well THC is extracted into the oil. It’s often an estimation. (optional for home baking)
- Total volume of liquid in ml: The overall volume of the liquid (infused oil).
This formula gives you the THC concentration per milliliter of infused oil. Keep in mind that determining extraction efficiency can be somewhat subjective.
Note: The longer the infusion, the higher the concentration per milliliter.
Cannabutter Storage Recommendations
To keep your cannabutter potent and fresh, proper storage is key:
- Refrigerate for Short-Term Use: Store cannabutter in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will remain fresh for up to 2-3 weeks.
- Freeze for Long-Term Storage: For extended storage, freeze the cannabutter in a tightly sealed container or wrap it in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to use it, allow it to defrost slowly in the fridge for optimal texture.
- Pre-Portion for Convenience: Consider freezing cannabutter in pre-measured portions (like ice cube trays) to easily add the desired amount to recipes without constant thawing and refreezing.
Incorporating Cannabutter in Cooking
Cannabutter is incredibly versatile and can elevate almost any recipe, much like Full Spectrum Hash Oil (FSHO)! Its buttery texture and infusion potential make it perfect for savory and sweet dishes alike.
One of my favorite uses is adding cannabutter to a classic fettuccine alfredo. The richness of heavy cream provides an ideal fat for the THC to bind to, creating a perfectly infused, creamy pasta. For a sweet twist, a friend of mine infused maple syrup with cannabutter for the ultimate wake-and-pancake experience!
Experimenting with cannabutter in different dishes allows you to create custom infusions that suit your taste and desired effects—whether you’re enhancing a savory dinner, making an infused chocolate cake like the one from ‘The Bear’, or a morning stack of pancakes!
Cannabutter Safety Tips and Best Practices
When it comes to cooking with cannabis-infused ingredients, be sure to be precise with your measurements. Accuracy in your dish is key to ensuring consistency in the dosing of each brownie or one plate of pasta. When hosting an infused dinner party, you want to confidently tell your guests the dosing of each dish so they can know what they can eat and how much before they leave for home.
Keep a notebook of ingredients and measurements so you can properly track your recipe.
Put your cannabutter or oil in a distinct container so it is easily distinguishable from the other butters and spreads in the fridge. You want to make sure you are using the right butter unless you want a morning work meeting to get slightly more interesting. Investing in a fridge lockbox would be great for consumers with small children, making sure the cannabutter is only accessible to adults is a feat that can be accomplished by the proactive cannaparent.
Dos and Don’ts for Using Cannabutter
Cannabutter dosage can vary depending on personal tolerance and the potency of your infusion, so follow these guidelines for safe, enjoyable use:
- Do: Start low and go slow. If it’s your first time using cannabutter, try starting with half a teaspoon and work up to your desired effects.
- Do: Use a kitchen scale to measure cannabutter for precise dosing, especially in recipes where accuracy is important.
- Don’t: Skip testing. Try a small sample of the final product before serving it to others to ensure the potency is as expected.
- Don’t: Use high heat. Cannabinoids like THC degrade at high temperatures, so avoid cooking cannabutter above 350°F (175°C) to preserve its effects.
By following these storage and usage tips, you can maintain your cannabutter’s potency and get consistent, enjoyable results in all your cannabis-infused creations!!
Look for more cooking with cannabis tips and recipes on our blog.
Cannabutter FAQs
How strong will my cannabutter be?
Cannabutter strength depends on the THC percentage of your cannabis, the amount used, and the infusion time. To estimate potency, you can use an online calculator or follow our potency formula (above) to get a close approximation. Remember, it’s always best to start with a small amount and adjust as needed.
How long does it take for edibles made with cannabutter to kick in?
Edibles usually take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, depending on your metabolism and whether you’ve eaten beforehand. Always start with a small portion and wait to feel the effects before consuming more.
Can I substitute cannabutter for regular butter in any recipe?
Yes! Cannabutter can be used in most recipes as a one-to-one replacement for regular butter. Just remember that high temperatures can degrade THC, so try to keep cooking temperatures below 350°F (175°C) to preserve potency.
How should I store cannabutter to keep it fresh?
For short-term use, keep cannabutter in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will last for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it. Just portion it before freezing so you can easily use it in recipes without defrosting the whole batch.
What’s the best way to dose cannabutter in recipes?
The best way to dose is by starting small and working up to your desired effects. If you know the potency of your cannabutter, you can measure it out accordingly (like using half a teaspoon or 1 tablespoon) for each recipe serving. When in doubt, try a small test batch first.
Does cooking time affect the potency of cannabutter?
Yes, the infusion time impacts potency! Longer infusion times can increase the concentration of THC in your cannabutter. However, once your cannabutter is made, be mindful of cooking times and temperatures to avoid degrading THC during the cooking process.
Become a Cannabis Kitchen Pro
Baking with cannabis is a fun and rewarding way to elevate your cooking game!
Once you get the hang of making your own cannabutter, you’ll feel like a “weed wizard,” with the power to turn just about any dish into an infused delight. Whether you’re adding a touch of THC to your favorite dessert or experimenting with savory dishes, cannabutter opens up a world of culinary creativity.
If you’re serious about leveling up your cannabis kitchen skills, check out Bong Appétit on Hulu. This show dives deep into the art of cannabis cooking, exploring unique infusion techniques and even cooking with terpenes to enhance flavor profiles. With a few tips and a little practice, you’ll be creating infused dishes like a pro!
