Hey, Welcome to Beyond the Bayou Blog. Today I will tell you about Cannabutter Recipe. In childhood every Sunday morning, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled my kitchen. As I sipped my coffee, I reminisced about the time when I first experimented with making homemade cannabutter. It all started when my friend shared their secret recipe for the best cannabis-infused brownies. Intrigued and eager to try it out myself, I embarked on a culinary adventure in my own kitchen.
I remember nervously watching the oven as the cannabis decarboxylated, releasing its magical properties. With each passing minute, anticipation grew, and I couldn’t wait to see how my homemade cannabutter would turn out. After patiently infusing the butter with cannabis and straining out the plant material, I held my breath as I tasted a small spoonful of the finished product. The rich, earthy flavor combined with the creamy texture of the butter was simply divine.
Since that day, making cannabutter has become a beloved ritual in my kitchen. Whether I’m whipping up a batch of indulgent brownies or experimenting with savory dishes like cannabis-infused pasta sauces, cannabutter adds a special touch to every recipe. Join me on this culinary journey as we explore the endless possibilities of cooking with cannabis. Let’s get cooking.
What is Cannabutter?
Cannabutter, short for cannabis butter, is a key ingredient in many cannabis-infused recipes. It’s made by combining butter with marijuana, typically through a process of decarboxylation and infusion. Decarboxylation involves heating the cannabis to activate its psychoactive and medicinal compounds, such as THC and CBD. Once decarboxylated, the cannabis is mixed with butter and simmered on low heat for a period of time, allowing the cannabinoids to bind with the fat molecules in the butter.
This infusion process transfers the cannabinoids from the plant material into the butter, creating a potent base for edibles like brownies, cookies, or cakes. Cannabutter allows for precise dosing and provides an alternative method of consuming cannabis compared to smoking or vaping. It’s important to note that consuming cannabis-infused edibles can have stronger and longer-lasting effects than inhaling cannabis smoke.
How to make Cannabutter?
- Decarboxylation (Activating the Cannabis):
- Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
- Grind your cannabis buds using a grinder or by hand until it resembles coarse coffee grounds.
- Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. This process activates the cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, by removing a carboxyl group from the compounds through heat.
- Stir the cannabis halfway through to ensure even decarboxylation.
- After baking, remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool. It should be dry and slightly toasted in appearance.
2. Infusion (Mixing Cannabis with Butter):
- In a saucepan or pot, melt the butter over low heat. Use unsalted butter to have better control over the flavor.
- Once the butter is melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis to the saucepan.
- Stir the mixture well to ensure that all the cannabis is evenly coated with the butter.
- Simmer the mixture over low heat for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Keep the heat low to avoid boiling, as high heat can degrade the cannabinoids and result in a less potent product.
- The mixture will gradually darken in color and develop a distinct aroma as the cannabinoids infuse into the butter. Be patient during this process, as adequate time is essential for effective infusion.
3. Strain (Removing Plant Material):
- Once the infusion process is complete, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool slightly. The mixture will be hot, so handle it carefully.
- Place a piece of cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer over a container large enough to hold the liquid.
- Carefully pour the mixture through the cheesecloth or strainer, allowing the liquid butter to pass through while filtering out the plant material. Use a spoon or spatula to press the cannabis against the strainer or cheesecloth to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Discard the leftover plant material once you’ve extracted all the liquid. The strained liquid is your infused cannabutter.
4. Chill and Store:
- Allow the cannabutter to cool at room temperature for a short while.
- Transfer the strained cannabutter to an airtight container for storage.
- Refrigerate the cannabutter until it solidifies. This usually takes a few hours.
- Once solid, the cannabutter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for longer-term storage. Make sure to label the container clearly, noting the potency of the cannabutter if desired.
Cannabutter Recipe
Equipment
- Double boiler or saucepan
- Whisk or Spoon
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Container for storage
- Cannabis grinder or scissors
- Oven or Stovetop
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 grams cannabis flower about 1/8 ounce
- 3 tablespoons distilled water
- 1 cup unsalted butter 8 ounces, preferably organic and grass-fed
Instructions
- Decarboxylate the Cannabis: Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Grind your cannabis into small pieces and spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, to activate the THC.
- Melt the Butter: In a double boiler or saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Be careful not to burn the butter.
- Add Cannabis to the Butter: Once the butter is melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Strain the Mixture: After simmering, remove the mixture from heat and let it cool slightly. Place a piece of cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer over a clean container. Pour the mixture through the cheesecloth/strainer to strain out the plant material, squeezing gently to extract all the butter.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cannabutter to cool to room temperature before sealing it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a month, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Nutrition
What Type of Butter You Should Use?
- Unsalted vs. Salted Butter: It’s generally recommended to use unsalted butter for making cannabutter. Unsalted butter allows for better control over the flavor of the final product, as the amount of salt can vary among different brands. Additionally, using unsalted butter prevents the cannabutter from becoming too salty, especially if you’re using it in sweet recipes like cookies or brownies.
- Quality of Butter: The quality of the butter you use will directly impact the flavor and overall quality of your cannabutter. Opt for high-quality butter with a rich and creamy texture for the best results. Look for butter made from fresh cream and preferably from grass-fed cows, as it tends to have a richer flavor.
- Clarified Butter (Ghee): Some people prefer to use clarified butter, also known as ghee, for making cannabutter. Clarified butter has had its milk solids removed, resulting in a higher smoke point and a more pronounced buttery flavor. Ghee is particularly popular in Indian cuisine and can add a unique taste to your cannabis-infused dishes.
- Vegan Butter Alternatives: If you follow a vegan diet or prefer plant-based alternatives, you can use vegan butter substitutes to make cannabis-infused butter. Look for vegan butter made from plant-based oils like coconut, olive, or soy. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture of vegan butter may differ from traditional butter, so choose one that complements your recipe.
Are there any alternative methods for infusing cannabis into butter?
In addition to the traditional stovetop or slow cooker methods, you can also use a double boiler or a sous vide cooker to infuse cannabis into butter. These methods offer precise temperature control and can help ensure consistent results.
Can I adjust the potency of cannabutter?
Yes, you can adjust the potency of cannabutter by varying the amount of cannabis used in the infusion process. Starting with a smaller amount of cannabis will result in a less potent product, while using more cannabis will yield a stronger cannabutter.
How long does cannabutter last?
Properly stored cannabutter can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer. It’s essential to store it in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.
Wanna Some Tips and Tricks!
- Dosage Control: Be mindful of the potency of your cannabis and calculate the dosage of THC per serving to avoid overconsumption. Start with a small amount of cannabis, especially if you’re new to edibles, and gradually increase the dosage as needed.
- Grinding Cannabis: Grind your cannabis evenly to ensure consistent decarboxylation and infusion. A coarse grind works well for decarboxylation, but you can grind it finer if you prefer a smoother texture in your final product.
- Decarboxylation Temperature: Keep a close eye on the decarboxylation process. Use an oven thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Avoid temperatures above 240°F (115°C) to prevent burning or degrading the cannabinoids.
- Infusion Time: Longer infusion times generally result in more potent cannabutter. However, be careful not to overcook the mixture, as this can lead to a bitter taste. Aim for a minimum of 2-3 hours of infusion time for optimal results.
- Low Heat: Maintain a low heat throughout the infusion process to prevent boiling and preserve the integrity of the cannabinoids. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent scorching.
- Straining Technique: Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the infused butter. Press the plant material against the strainer or cheesecloth with a spoon or spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. This helps maximize the potency of your cannabutter.
