Cannabutter is an entry point for many into the wonderful world of cannabis edibles. Learn how to make cannabutter with our easy recipe below. This method involves using a crockpot/slow cooker, but, cannabis butter can also be made on a stovetop, in a mason jar, sous-vide, as well as various machines (Magical Butter etc) available on the market that can make it for you.

The endocannabinoid system within humans reacts differently to edible cannabis infusions, depending on the individual.

Although many across the amateur culinary landscape hold the opinion that butter is for baking and oil is for cooking, cannabutter is an amazing compliment to savoury dishes as well as sweet. Use this cannabis-infused butter in a recipe when it will be one of the primary flavours of the dish as well as recipes that call for “creaming” (mixing butter into a fluffy texture) a solid fat.

For this cannabis and butter infusion, we will be making 2 cups of total butter and will be using 15 grams of 20% THC cannabis flower. The final infusion will contain approximately 2,400mg of THC (at an over-inflated approximation) in 2 cups of cannabutter. It is better to over-estimate the THC content of your cannabis edibles than to under-estimate. If you would like to read more about cannabis flower to oil ratio and finding an approximate dosage, click here.

For this cannabutter infusion, we will be using a crockpot/slow cooker. Butter melts to a liquid at just 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) and the crockpot/slow cooker keeps a very consistent temperature throughout the infusion process. A crockpot/slow cooker is also ideal for those who wish to leave the house during the cannabutter infusion process.

Making cannabis butter (cannabutter) is a relatively simple process.

How to Make Cannabutter – Equipment Needed

In order to make cannabutter at home, you will need a few pieces of kitchen equipment:

Large glass bowl or large pyrex-style measuring jug
Crockpot/slow cooker
Hand Strainer
Cheesecloth
Container or butter moulds for the final product

Cannabutter: Is Decarbing Necessary?

Decarboxylation, or decarbing, is an essential process in making cannabis edibles. Cannabis is not psychoactive in its raw form and this process ensures that valuable cannabinoids, such as Delta-9 THC, are properly activated. Decarboxylation is the scientific process that takes place when cannabis is exposed to heat. In scientific terms, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids that remove a carbon atom from a chain of atoms present within a plant such as cannabis. When heat is applied to cannabis, it will remove a carboxyl group from the THCA cannabinoid (non-psychoactive) and creates the psychoactive Delta-9 THC. Decarboxylation also occurs when cannabis is smoked or vaporized.

In addition, the process of decarboxylation also prepares cannabis for bioavailability, a process that allows cannabis to have an effect as an edible substance. Learning how to decarboxylate cannabis will become an essential foundation in any cannabis consumer’s knowledge. Proper cannabis storage is also a great practice to follow.

Usually, all that is needed to decarboxylate cannabis for infusions and edibles are cannabis buds, a baking tray, a conventional oven, and high-quality parchment paper. For our guide on traditional cannabis decarboxylation, click here.

Cannabis such as this needs to be decarboxylated before it can be infused into cannabutter.

How to Make Cannabutter – Ingredients

The ingredients to make cannabutter are very straightforward. Decarbing your cannabis the day before and storing it in a cool, dark cupboard in an airtight container works well if you are short on time.

Decarboxylated cannabis (15 grams for this recipe)
2 Cups of butter (a one-pound (454 gram) block of butter is equal to 2 cups)

How to Make Cannabutter: An Easy Crockpot/Slow Cooker Method for Cannabutter

In a large glass bowl or measuring jug, add decarboxylated cannabis and chopped butter
Fill the crockpot with enough water to reach the halfway point of your large glass bowl or measuring jug
Place crockpot/slow cooker on medium-low heat and wait until the water has heated
Now, place the bowl of cannabis and oil into the water within the crockpot/slow cooker
You can cover this infusion, although it is not necessary.
Ensure the water does not get too low during the infusion process, some will evaporate
Leave in the crockpot/slow cooker for 3-4 hours, stirring every hour or so
Line a hand strainer with cheesecloth (3-4 pieces on top of one another) and strain canna back into a container or mason jar
Store in the refrigerator and enjoy responsibly

This method for cannabutter is easy, somewhat mess-free, as well as providing a clean, and potent, final cannabis-infused product.

Cooking cannabutter in a crockpot/slow cooker is incredibly convenient and consistent in terms of temperatures.

How Strong Will My Cannabutter Be? Flower to Butter Ratio

Many cannabis consumers do not know the correct flower to butter or oil ratio (for their own personal dose) and may use too much cannabis, or too little, in their oils or butter.

This can have an adverse effect on future cannabis edibles consumption and experiences as well as becoming somewhat confusing for those who are new to cannabis or cannabis edibles. Everyone has a different reaction to cannabis and this will depend a lot on your endocannabinoid system.

The five variables when considering a flower to oil ratio are:

The Amount of Cannabis Used
The THC Content of the Cannabis
The Amount of Oil Infused
How Much Oil (or Other Substance) You Will Use
How Many Servings You Make

To read more about approximating a flower to butter/oil ratio when making cannabis infusions, click here.

What Cannabis Edibles Can I Make With Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is incredibly versatile and works as a base ingredient in many sweet and savoury dishes. These dishes include:

Shortbread Cookies
Butter Rolls
Cheesecakes
Muffins/Cupcakes
Buttercream Icing
Cannabis-Infused Rice Crispie Treats
And Many, Many More!

Remember, always consume cannabis edibles safely and responsibly. Storing cannabis safely and correctly will also provide better cannabis edibles.

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