27 Dec 2024

Baking Spirits Bright: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Cannabis for the Holidays

When you think of celebrating the holidays, what comes to mind? Gathering with friends and family, festive joy, and incredible food, of course! If you’re looking to add a twist to your festive menu, cooking with cannabis can be a fun and creative way to elevate your holiday feast. Whether you’re preparing savory dishes, desserts, or beverages, cannabis can bring a unique flair to your celebrations.

From classic holiday staples to inventive new recipes, here’s everything you need to know about infusing cannabis into your holiday cooking, plus some tips and recipe ideas to get you started.

Why Cook with Cannabis for the Holidays?

Whether you’re baking or cooking, cannabis-infused goodies allow you to integrate the benefits of THC and CBD in a unique and spirited way. Unlike smoking or vaping, infused foods offer a slower onset of effects, making them ideal for relaxed, drawn-out gatherings. Cannabis-infused dishes can:

• Make your holiday meal more creative and memorable.
• Serve as an alternative to alcohol for those who abstain from drinking.
• Provide an option focused on relieving stress and promoting relaxation.

Cannabis Cooking Basics

Cannabis can provide uplifting benefits to your meal, but before you begin baking infused treats to your heart’s content, it’s essential to understand the basics of cooking with it.

1. Decarboxylation: To activate THC and CBD, cannabis must be heated through a process called decarboxylation, or decarbing, much like you would smoking or vaporizing flowers. This involves some prep work of baking ground cannabis in the oven at a low temperature (around 240°F) for 30-40 minutes.
2. Infusion: Cannabis is typically infused into a carrier fat source, like butter or oil, to make it easier to incorporate into recipes. Common options include infused butter, peanut butter, chocolate, coconut oil, or olive oil.

3. Start Low, Go Slow: Measuring the correct dose is key when cooking with cannabis. Start with small amounts and clearly label dishes so guests know what’s infused and what isn’t.

Infusing Your Holiday Treats with Care

To ensure your cannabis-infused food isn’t too strong, accurately measure your cannabis with a scale to control the strength of the infusion. Here are some things to keep in mind to keep your edible potency manageable and enjoyable for everyone:

Understand the Potency of Your Cannabis

• Know the THC or CBD Percentage: Start by determining the potency of your cannabis. For example, 1 gram of cannabis at 15% THC contains approximately 150 mg of THC (1,000 mg × 0.15).
• Decide on the Dose: A typical edible dose is 5-10 mg of THC per serving for most users. Beginners should aim for 2.5-5 mg per serving.

Calculate the Dosage

Use this formula to estimate the potency of your infused food:

• THC in the recipe = (Cannabis Weight in Grams × THC %) × 1,000mg/g
• Divide the total THC by the number of servings to get the THC per serving.

For example:

• 1 gram of cannabis at 15% THC infused into butter yields 150mg of THC.
• If you use the butter in a recipe that makes 30 servings, each serving will contain approximately 5mg of THC (150 ÷ 30).

How to Make Your Own Cannabis-Infused Butter or Oil

Infused butter or oil is the easiest and most versatile way to cook with cannabis because these fats are already an essential part of many holiday recipes. Making your own at home is simple and allows you to control the strength of your edibles. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own cannabis-infused butter or oil. Check out the tips for success for alternative methods of infusing oil to help minimize the strong aroma.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (or 1 cup coconut oil, olive oil, or another fat of choice)
• 1 cup water (for butter, to prevent scorching)
• 1/4–1/2 ounce (7–14 grams) of decarbed cannabis (adjust for desired potency)

Tools:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Saucepan or slow cooker
• Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
• Airtight storage container

Instructions:

• Decarboxylate the Cannabis

Decarbing activates the THC and CBD in cannabis, much like smoking or vaporizing does, making it an essential step for infusing your carrier fat.

• Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
• Grind or break up the cannabis into small pieces and spread it evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cannabis will turn a golden-brown color when ready; make sure not to burn it, as it will lose potency.


• Melt the Butter or Oil
• In a saucepan or slow cooker, combine your butter or oil with water (if using butter). The water prevents the butter from burning.
• Heat on low until the butter is fully melted, stirring occasionally.

• Add the Decarbed Cannabis
• Stir the decarbed cannabis into the melted butter or oil.
• Simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. To avoid burning off cannabinoids, keep the temperature between 160–200°F (71–93°C).
• Strain the Mixture
• Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or jar. Slowly pour the mixture through to strain out the plant material.
• Avoid squeezing the cheesecloth too much; this can strain excess plant matter into your infusion, leaving a bitter taste.
• Cool and Store
• If using butter, refrigerate until solid, then drain the remaining water.
• Transfer the infused butter or oil to an airtight container and label it clearly.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer shelf life.

Tips for Success:

• Avoid the Aroma: If you live in a shared space or otherwise find the smell of cannabis too strong, consider placing the cannabis and butter/oil mixture into small, lidded mason jars. Fill a crock pot with enough water to cover the jars 3/4 of the way. Heat the crock pot to 185 degrees or on “low.” Leave the jars to infuse for 2-3 hours, then follow the rest of the steps above. Make sure you let the jars cool down before handling.
• Test Potency First: Use a small amount of your infusion in a recipe or on a piece of toast to gauge its strength before using larger amounts.
• Start Low and Go Slow: Especially if you’re new to edibles, aim for a low dose (5–10 mg THC per serving).
• Experiment with Oils: Coconut oil is a great option for baking, while olive oil works well for savory dishes.

Now that you’ve mastered infused butter or oil, you can use it in an assortment of tasty treats, from baked goods to savory sauces, uplifting your holiday recipes with a special touch!

Creative Cannabis-Infused Holiday Dishes

Here are some ideas to inspire your elevated holiday menu:

Appetizers

• Cannabis-Infused Spinach Artichoke Dip: Replace regular butter with cannabutter for a creamy, flavorful dip.
• Herb-Infused Crostini: Drizzle cannabis-infused olive oil over toasted baguette slices topped with goat cheese and roasted red peppers.

Main Courses

• Infused Turkey or Roast Chicken: Rub your bird with cannabis-infused olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a flavorful main dish.
• Cannabis-Infused Gravy: A holiday staple gets a twist by substituting cannabutter into your favorite gravy recipe.

Side Dishes

• Mashed Potatoes with Cannabutter: Mix a small amount of cannabutter into creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting side dish.
• Green Bean Almondine: Sauté green beans in cannabis-infused olive oil with toasted almonds and lemon zest.

Desserts

• Classic Cannabis-Infused Brownies: A tried-and-true favorite, made festive with holiday-themed toppings like crushed candy canes.
• Infused Pumpkin Pie: Use cannabis-infused coconut oil in the crust or filling for a twist on this holiday classic.

Drinks

• Cannabis-Infused Hot Cocoa: Mix cannabis-infused coconut oil into rich, creamy hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
• CBD-Infused Mulled Wine: Use a CBD tincture for a calming, non-psychoactive option in this holiday classic.

Tips for Hosting with Cannabis-Infused Foods

1. Offer Clearly Labeled Options: Make sure infused dishes and treats are clearly marked and kept separate from non-infused options. This way, everyone can make informed choices.
2. Provide Dosage Information: Let guests know how much cannabis is in each serving and remind them to start small and pace themselves.
3. Pair with Non-Infused Dishes: Balance your menu with plenty of non-infused options to ensure everyone feels included.
4. Educate Guests: Be prepared to answer questions about the effects and ingredients in your infused dishes.
5. Have Non-Alcoholic Drinks Ready: Pair cannabis-infused foods with non-alcoholic drink options to keep everyone hydrated and feeling balanced.

A Few Holiday Cannabis Cooking Reminders

• Know Your Audience: Not everyone will be comfortable with cannabis-infused dishes. Respect boundaries and offer alternatives for those who prefer not to partake.
• Safe Storage: Keep infused foods clearly labeled and out of reach of children or pets.
• Enjoy Responsibly: Remember that edibles take time to kick in—usually between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Encourage guests to take it slow and enjoy the experience mindfully.

Cooking with cannabis is a fun and creative way to bring something new to your holiday celebrations. With a little planning, some key ingredients from Sociale, the best dispensary in Chicagoland, and some tasty recipes, you can create an experience your guests won’t forget—one that leaves everyone feeling relaxed, connected and lifted in holiday cheer.