Cannabutter is an essential ingredient for many cannabis-infused edibles. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, including brownies, cookies, cakes, and more. Making cannabutter is easy and straightforward, but it does require some patience and attention to detail. Here’s how to make your own cannabutter at home.
Ingredients and Quantities
Before we get started, let’s talk about the ingredients and quantities you’ll need to make cannabutter. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup of ground cannabis flower (approximately 7-10 grams)
These quantities can be adjusted based on your preference and the potency of your cannabis. If you’re using cannabis that is particularly strong, you may want to use less to avoid overdoing it.
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
Before you can make cannabutter, you need to decarboxylate your cannabis. This process activates the THC in the plant material, making it more potent and effective. To decarboxylate your cannabis, preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Warning: fan ovens may blow your weed all over the oven. Place your cannabis on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and fragrant. Let it cool before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Melt Your Butter
Next, melt your butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once the butter has melted, add your decarboxylated cannabis to the pan. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Simmer and Stir
Simmer the butter and cannabis mixture over low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be sure to keep the temperature low and avoid boiling the mixture, as this can damage the cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis.
Step 4: Strain the Mixture
Once the mixture has simmered for several hours, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer to remove the plant material. Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible to maximize your yield.
Step 5: Chill and Store
Finally, chill the cannabutter in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Once it has solidified, remove it from the container and discard any excess water. Your cannabutter is now ready to use in your favorite cannabis-infused recipes.
Tips for Making Cannabutter
- Use high-quality cannabis for the best results. The potency of your cannabutter will depend on the quality of your cannabis, so choose a strain that suits your needs.
- Use unsalted butter for better flavor and texture. Salted butter can alter the taste of your final product and make it less appealing.
- Be patient and stir frequently. Simmering the mixture for several hours allows the cannabinoids to fully infuse into the butter, but be sure to stir it frequently to avoid burning the mixture.
- Store your cannabutter in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. It can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.
Final thoughts
Making cannabutter is an easy and cost-effective way to infuse your favorite recipes with the benefits of cannabis. With these simple steps and tips, you can make your own cannabutter at home and enjoy the full flavor and effects of cannabis-infused edibles.
