Cannabis Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe

Who doesn’t love a freshly baked cookie? There's so much variety in one comfort treat, whether soft and gooey throughout or with a crunchy exterior. Add to that a touch of cannabis, and “baked” goods take on a whole new meaning. In this guide, we walk through the process of making some tasty cannabis-infused cookies with cannabutter.

Why Make Cannabis Cookies?

Cannabis cookies are not just delicious. They offer a convenient, discreet, and portable way to manage medical conditions.

Imagine being able to fine-tune the dosage to manage conditions like chronic pain or anxiety without the harshness of smoking. Cannabis cookies might offer more gradual, controlled relief to fit in better with a daily routine.

Plus, homemade cannabis cookies allow consumers to control everything from the strain to the strength inside. Even down to the type of chocolate or other ingredients thrown in, making cannabis cookies at home can be a game-changer.

They’re not only easier on the lungs compared to smoking, but they are also perfect for those seeking long-lasting effects. Cookies made with cannabutter offer a discreet and convenient way to manage symptoms, whether at home or on the go. 

Beyond health benefits, there’s something satisfying about pulling a tray of fresh cannabis cookies from the oven. The smell can treat the senses just as much as its effects might relieve certain symptoms.

What You'll Need to Make Cannabis Cookies

There are several tools and ingredients that are must-haves for any weed cookie recipe. These include:

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Oven
• Cooling rack
• Spatula
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Weed grinder for cannabis flower
• Airtight storage containers
• Cheesecloth
• Cookie scoop

How Much Weed Do You Need to Make Cannabutter Cookies?

To determine how much cannabis is needed for your canna-cookie recipe, think about the desired potency. For example, if you want each cookie to contain 10 mg of THC, and you plan to make 20 cookies, you'll need 200 mg of THC in total for your batch.

Use an edible dosage calculator to figure out how much cannabis to add to your cannabutter based on the THC percentage of your cannabis strain. This will help ensure each cannabis cookie has a consistent and safe potency level.

Cannabis Cookies: The Ingredients

Here’s a complete list of ingredients you’ll need to make cannabis cookies using cannabutter.

For the Cannabutter

• ½ ounce decarboxylated cannabis flower
• 8 ounces butter
• 1 ½ cups water

For the Cannabutter Cookies

• ¼ cup cannabutter
• ¾ cup regular butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 cups chocolate (chopped)

Easy Ingredient Swaps for Dietary Restrictions

Baking cannabutter cookies that everyone can enjoy is easy with a few thoughtful substitutions:

• For dairy-free or vegan cookies, swap out regular butter for coconut oil, almond butter, or other vegan butter. These keep the needed fats for effective THC infusion and suit various dietary needs.
• Going gluten-free? Replace traditional flour with almond flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make your cookies accessible to those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• If eggs are out of the question, try flax or chia or use a commercial egg replacer. These options are great for vegans and those with egg allergies.
• To reduce sugar, consider substitutes like coconut sugar, agave syrup, or stevia, which are friendlier for people with diabetes or anyone watching their sugar intake.
• For chocolate and vanilla flavors, choose dairy-free chocolate and alcohol-free vanilla extract to keep things kosher, halal, and vegan-friendly.

These swaps help make your weed cookies welcoming to all without losing any of the deliciousness or benefits of cannabis.

How to Make Cannabis Cookies

Whipping up a batch of cannabis cookies is simple and fun, even if you’re new to cooking with cannabis. Here’s how to get those chewy, potent treats just right.

Making Cannabutter

Before making cookies with weed butter, prepare the cannabutter.

1. Decarboxylation: Preheat the oven to 230ºF (110ºC). Spread finely ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes to activate the THC.
2. Infusion: Melt the butter with water over low heat in a saucepan. Add the decarboxylated cannabis and simmer for two to four hours, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a container, squeezing out as much butter as possible.
3. Storage: Store the cannabutter in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for more extended storage.

Making Cannabis Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream the white sugar, brown sugar, cannabutter, and regular butter together until smooth.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla until the mixture is fluffy.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until the mixture is just combined.
6. Add Chocolate: If using chocolate bars, chop them into small pieces. Fold the chopped chocolate into the dough until evenly distributed.
7. Form Cookies: Use an ice cream scoop or spoon to drop dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave enough space between each cookie. They’ll spread as they bake. Depending on the size of your scoop, gently flatten each dollop for even baking and proper spreading.
8. Baking: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
9. Cooling: Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
10. Serving: Be aware of the delayed effects when consuming edibles, and start with a small amount to gauge your tolerance. Start low and go slow!

The Best Way to Store Your Freshly Made Cannabis Cookies

Storing freshly made cannabis cookies correctly helps maintain their freshness and effectiveness. Here are some cannabis storage tips to keep your cookies tasty and potent.

Cool Completely

Always allow cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack before storing. This prevents any residual heat from creating steam within the storage container, which could make the cookies soggy. This rule applies to all cookies, not just cannabis cookies!

Airtight Containers

Store your cookies in an airtight container. This limits air exposure, which can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes in your cookies and lead to staleness. When stored this way, your cookies can remain fresh at room temperature for up to a week.

Refrigeration

If you need to extend the freshness of your cookies, store them in the refrigerator. Refrigerated, they can last for up to two weeks. Bring them to room temperature before consuming them to enjoy their best flavor and texture.

Freezing

For long-term storage, you can freeze your cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, and then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab one or two cookies at a time. Properly stored, frozen cannabis cookies can last for several months. Thaw them to room temperature before consuming them for the best flavor and texture.

Avoid Humidity and Heat

Store your weed cookies in a cool, dark place within your home. Extreme temperatures or high humidity can adversely affect the cookies' texture and potency.

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.