If you’ve ever had a batch of regular cookies and thought, “You know what would make these better? Cannabis!”—you’re in the right place. Cannabis cookies are a delicious and discreet way to enjoy the benefits of weed without having to light up. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step of the process, so by the end, you’ll have a batch of cookies that not only tastes great but gives you a nice buzz too.
What Are Cannabis Cookies?
Cannabis cookies are just like your standard cookies but with a twist—they’re infused with cannabis. These little treats are perfect for those who enjoy edibles, offering a different kind of high compared to smoking or vaping.
An introduction to edibles and cannabis cookies
Edibles are a fun and effective way to consume cannabis, giving you a slower, longer-lasting high. Cannabis cookies are a great entry point into the world of edibles because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good cookie? Plus, they’re easy to make at home and don’t require any fancy equipment.
The effects and benefits of consuming cannabis cookies
When you eat cannabis cookies, the THC gets absorbed through your digestive system, which means the high takes a bit longer to kick in, but when it does—oh boy, does it hit different! The high is more gradual, and it tends to last longer. Edibles also let you avoid smoking, which is a bonus for those looking to be kinder to their lungs.
Ingredients Needed to Make Cannabis Cookies
Here’s where we get into the nitty-gritty. The beauty of cannabis cookies is that you can use a simple cookie recipe and just swap in cannabis-infused butter or oil. Let’s talk about what you need.
Main ingredients (butter, sugar, flour, etc.)
For your cookies, you’ll need the usual suspects: butter, sugar (both brown and white if you’re fancy), flour, eggs, baking soda, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips if you’re making a classic batch.
Cannabis ingredients (cannabutter or cannabis oil)
This is where the magic happens. You’ll need either cannabutter or cannabis oil to infuse your cookies with THC. Both of these can be made at home if you’ve got some time (I’ll get into that soon), or you can buy them from a dispensary. I usually go for cannabutter because it’s versatile and works well in just about any baking recipe.
Dosage guide for cannabis potency in cookies
Now, here’s where things can get a little tricky. Dosage depends on the potency of your cannabutter and how much you use. I recommend starting with a lower dose if you’re new to edibles. Use 1/4 cup of cannabutter in your recipe, and you can always adjust in future batches based on how strong (or weak) the cookies turn out.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cannabis Cookies
Time to roll up your sleeves and get baking!
How to make cannabutter or cannabis oil
Making cannabutter is easier than it sounds. You’ll need to decarboxylate your cannabis first—this is just a fancy way of saying you need to bake it at a low temperature (about 240°F) for 30-40 minutes to activate the THC. After that, melt butter in a saucepan, add the decarbed weed, and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours. Strain out the plant material, and voila—you’ve got cannabutter!
How to prepare the cookie dough
In a bowl, cream together your butter (or cannabutter), sugar, and eggs. Add the vanilla extract. Slowly mix in the flour and baking soda. Once everything is combined, fold in your chocolate chips or any other mix-ins you like (nuts, candies, etc.).
Baking the cookies: temperature and time
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, making sure to space them out. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes before devouring!
Tips for storing and serving cannabis cookies
Cannabis cookies will stay fresh for up to a week if stored in an airtight container. If you’ve made a big batch and want to save some for later, you can freeze them. Just be sure to label them so you don’t mix them up with your regular cookies—trust me, that can lead to some unexpected surprises!
How to Control Dosage in Cannabis Cookies
This is the most important part—getting the dosage right.
Understanding cannabis potency and THC levels
Cannabis edibles hit harder than smoking because THC is metabolized differently in the body. Be cautious, especially if you’re using a strain with a high THC percentage. Start low, and you can always eat more later.
How to calculate the dosage per cookie
Let’s say you used 7 grams of cannabis with 20% THC to make your cannabutter. That gives you about 1,400 mg of THC in the batch. If you used 1 cup of cannabutter and you add 1/4 cup to the cookies, you’re looking at roughly 350 mg total, divided by how many cookies you make.
Tips to ensure an even spread of cannabis in cookies
Make sure you mix the cannabutter evenly into the dough so every cookie has a similar dose. Nobody wants one cookie that knocks them out and another that does nothing!
The Best Strains for Cannabis Cookies
Some strains just work better in edibles.
Indica vs. Sativa for edibles
Indica strains tend to give a more relaxing, body-high feeling, making them great for evening cookies. Sativa strains offer a more energetic, uplifting buzz, which is nice if you want to feel productive after a cookie.
Popular strains for making cookies (e.g., Girl Scout Cookies, Blue Dream)
If you want to keep it classic, you can’t go wrong with strains like Girl Scout Cookies or Blue Dream. These strains have the perfect balance of effects for a pleasant edible experience.
CBD vs. THC cannabis cookies
If you’re not looking for a super strong high, try adding a CBD strain into the mix. CBD cookies won’t get you high, but they’re great for pain relief or stress without the psychoactive effects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Cannabis Cookies
Everyone makes mistakes—it’s all part of the process.
Overheating or underheating cannabutter
If your butter gets too hot while infusing, you’ll destroy the THC. Keep it on low heat and be patient.
Inaccurate dosage or uneven distribution
Don’t just eyeball the amount of cannabutter you use. Measuring it out precisely ensures you won’t overdo it or short yourself on the effects.
Not properly decarboxylating the cannabis
If you skip the decarboxylation step, your cookies will be weak. THC needs to be activated before it can give you that high, so don’t forget this step!
How long do cannabis cookies take to kick in?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours for cannabis cookies to kick in, depending on your metabolism.
How long do cannabis cookies last?
The effects of cannabis cookies can last between 6 to 8 hours, with the peak high occurring about 2 to 3 hours after consumption.
Can I make cannabis cookies without cannabutter?
Yes, you can use cannabis-infused oil as a substitute for cannabutter in most cookie recipes.
Can I freeze cannabis cookies for later use?
Absolutely! Cannabis cookies freeze well and can be stored for up to 6 months. Just be sure to label them.
How potent should cannabis cookies be?
This depends on your tolerance. Start with lower potency (around 5-10 mg per cookie) and adjust as needed.
Now you’ve got everything you need to whip up a batch of cannabis cookies that’ll satisfy both your sweet tooth and your desire for a good buzz. Just remember to start slow, especially if you’re new to edibles, and always label your cookies! Happy baking!
