Less than two decades ago, marijuana was criminalized in all 50 states in the United States. Now, at least 33 states have moved to legalize the drug, allowing both medicinal and recreational usages in different places. One by-product of this move is the influx of research and information about making weed baked edibles. In this article, we will cover some of the different methods to make this delicious way of making people high.
What are cannabis baked edibles?
A cannabis edible, also known simply as an edible, is a food product that is infused with marijuana and contains cannabinoids, like the psychoactive THC or its counterpart CBD. These products offer all of the same medical and recreational benefits, including pain relief, alleviation of anxiety, and stimulation of appetite, as the traditional way of smoking or vaporizing weed. Edibles also offer several benefits over other methods of ingestion:
- A healthy alternative to smoking. Baked edibles, and other forms of edibles, have become increasingly popular for marijuana users who want to avoid inhaling smoke or vapor. As it has long been known, smoking weed causes inflammation of the respiratory system and people doing so wind up with four times as much tar in their lungs as compared to those who smoke tobacco or cigarettes. By switching to edibles, users can enjoy the same psychoactive and medicinal high but without the same drawbacks as smoking.
- Discretion. Another reason for the rise in popularity of these edibles is that they offer a very discreet way to consume cannabis. A cannabis-infused gummy, for instance, will look just like any typical gummy. They are more discreet than carrying out a bag of weed.
- Longer lasting effects. While cannabis edibles may take longer to absorb because they have to be broken down by your digestive system before being absorbed into the blood, they hit quite differently than other forms of ingestion. Most notably, these edibles make for a longer-lasting and more intense experience. Research says the difference lies in the fact that edibles pass through and gets metabolized by the liver, which turns the THC compound into a different type – one the hits harder and longer.
- Easy way to administer cannabis to patients. This is especially beneficial for the elderly and children who would not be able to smoke weed as part of their alternative treatment.
The importance of decarboxylation
Before we look at the various ways of making these edibles, we need to talk about the importance of decarboxylation. Cannabinoids in cannabis plants need to go through the process of decarboxylation to activate their psychoactive ingredients and produce their beneficial effects needed for both medicinal and recreational users. Long story short, it will make your weed potent when added in a baked edible.
While decarboxylation occurs naturally over time, we speed the process up dramatically by applying heat to marijuana within the temperature range of 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and leaving it for about 30 minutes to an hour. Some people prefer to decarboxylate their weed at the lower range and slower in an attempt to preserve the plant’s terpenes. Either way, the non-psychoactive THCA compounds will turn into the psychoactive THC by the end of the process.
Mouth-watering ways to make baked edibles
Here are some easy and simple ways to make delicious cannabis edibles:
Marijuana-Infused Baked Bacon
We all know the adage about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. Several breakfast staples will easily wake you up with their intoxicating aromas – cereal, waffles, pancakes, and of course, bacon. Salty, savory bacon. If you think that there is nothing else to do to make this treat even more perfect, think again. Enter, marijuana-infused bacon.
What You Will Need To Do
- Preheat the oven to at least 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare your preferred cannabis flowers by drying them to a nice, fine, powdered consistency.
- Spread the powder in a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, put it in the oven, and let it sit for at least 45 minutes. While that is heating up, you can start preparing the bacon strips.
- Line your strips of bacon in another non-greased cookie sheet. Once the 45 minutes is up, take out your first tray from the oven and immediately turn up the dial to at least 275 degrees Fahrenheit again in preparation for the bacon.
- Sprinkle the freshly cooked cannabis powder on one side of the bacon strips generously. Throw in the baking sheet with bacon strips into the oven for at least 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes are up, flip the bacon and season the newly exposed side with the rest of your cannabis powder. Bake for another 10 minutes.
- Remove the tray from the oven and enjoy your marijuana-infused bacon strips.
Triple Baked Marijuana-Infused Potatoes
There is no need to look any further for the perfect baked cannabis potato recipe. These potatoes are not only appetizing, but they are a great way to get baked. And the best thing about them is that you only need a few ingredients to get them perfect.
What You Will Need to Do
- Prepare your cannabis-infused butter and set it at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a fork to prick four of your largest potatoes. Next, place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them for an hour until they are soft.
- After an hour, remove the tray from the oven and allow the potatoes to cool. Once cooled, cut them lengthwise and open up your potatoes. Scoop the insides while making sure that the skins still hold their shape.
- In a bowl, mix your scooped potatoes with ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup cannabis-infused butter, and some salt and pepper to taste. Continue mixing until you reach a smooth consistency.
- Scoop the mixture back into the potato skins and bake them for at least 10 minutes.
- Take the tray out of the oven and add any toppings of choice. Popular choices would be scallions, bacon, and cheese. Enjoy!
Marijuana-Infused S’mores Cookies
Aside from brownies, cannabis cookies are the next most popular weed edibles in the market today. Here is one of the very best recipes for medicated edibles that is simple, easy, and full of melt-in-your-mouth goodness – S’mores weed cookies.
What You Will Need to Do
- Prepare your cannabis-infused butter and set it at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On the side, prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix ¼ cup of cannabis-infused butter with ½ cup regular butter, and 1½ cup of sugar until you reach a fluffy texture. Add in two large eggs one at a time and then one tsp of vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix two cups of all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking soda, one tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp of sea salt.
- Add both mixtures together and combine well. Next, add a generous amount of mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Make sure these are evenly distributed.
- Next, line up your graham crackers on the prepared baking sheet. Using a 2 oz scoop, portion your mixture on top of the crackers. Add another set of graham crackers on top of each set to create a sandwich with the mixture inside. Bake for at least 12 to 15 minutes.
- Take the tray out of the oven and allow the s’mores cookies to cool. Drizzle with melted chocolate coating if desired. Enjoy this mouth-watering baked edibles perfect for any outdoor chill with friends!
Marijuana-infused Shortbread Cookies
If you are not a fan of chocolate or maybe watching your weight, here is another cannabis-infused cookie recipe for you. This simple recipe only needs three ingredients but it will surely delight anybody with its sweetness and medicinal benefits.
What You Need to Do
- Prepare your cannabis-infused butter and set it at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a bowl, beat together ½ cup of your cannabis-infused butter with ¼ cup of sugar until mixed well.
- Add 1½ cups of flour gradually and continue mixing until you create a dough with a smooth paste consistency. Roll out the dough flat and bring out your favorite cookie cutters. Cut out your cookies and let them chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Next, bake them for at least 15 to 20 minutes until the cookies start to brown.
- Serve and enjoy these classic baked edibles.
There are several other ways to make baked edibles that will not only hone your skills in the kitchen but will also allow you to enjoy the benefits of marijuana without the drawbacks of smoking. Even if you are not particularly a master in the kitchen, these edible recipes are simple and very easy to do. You will surely surprise your friends by serving these classics sprinkled with some magic.
