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Indulge in Cannabis-Infused Holiday Desserts: 5 Delectable Recipes for the Festive Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to elevate your dessert game with a little something extra—cannabis-infused treats that delight the senses and bring a touch of relaxation to your festivities. Combining the flavors of the season with the mellow effects of cannabis, these desserts are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or attending a festive party, these five cannabis-infused desserts will add a memorable twist to your holiday celebrations. Before diving into the recipes, let’s start with a simple guide on how to make cannabutter, the key ingredient in these delectable treats.


How to Make Cannabutter


Cannabutter is the essential ingredient for infusing your favorite cannabis strain into a variety of dishes. Here’s a straightforward method to make your own cannabutter:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 7-10 grams of your favorite cannabis strain (decarboxylated)

Instructions:

  1. Decarboxylation: Preheat your oven to 245°F (120°C). Break up your cannabis into small pieces and spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. This process activates the THC, ensuring your butter will have its full potency.
  2. Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, bring water to a simmer. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely.
  3. Add the Cannabis: Once the butter has melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis to the mixture. Maintain a low heat and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The key is to keep the temperature below 200°F (93°C) to prevent burning off the cannabinoids.
  4. Strain the Butter: After simmering, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Squeeze out any remaining butter from the cannabis. Discard the plant material.
  5. Cool and Store: Let the cannabutter cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until solid. Your cannabutter is now ready to use in your favorite recipes.


Cannabis-Infused Dessert Recipes


1. Spiced Cannabis-Infused Gingerbread Cookies

These classic gingerbread cookies are taken to the next level with a subtle infusion of cannabis. The warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves pair beautifully with the earthy notes of cannabis, creating a treat that’s as comforting as it is uplifting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup cannabutter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the cannabutter and brown sugar until creamy. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla, and mix until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
  5. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface and use cookie cutters to shape the dough.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.


2. Chocolate Peppermint Cannabis Fudge

Rich and decadent, this chocolate peppermint fudge is infused with cannabis for a dessert that melts in your mouth and leaves you feeling blissfully relaxed. The combination of chocolate and peppermint is a festive favorite that never disappoints.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup cannabutter
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • Crushed peppermint candies (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, condensed milk, and cannabutter together, stirring until smooth.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
  4. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top.
  5. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top, if desired.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares and serving.


3. Cranberry-Orange Cannabis Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars are a delightful combination of tangy cranberries and bright citrus, with a smooth and creamy cannabis-infused filling. They’re the perfect blend of tart and sweet, making them a refreshing dessert for the holiday table.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup cannabutter, melted
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted cannabutter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and orange zest, mixing until well combined.
  4. Fold in the cranberries and pour the filling over the crust.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.


4. Eggnog Cannabis Cupcakes

These moist and fluffy eggnog cupcakes are infused with cannabis and topped with a creamy eggnog frosting. The classic holiday flavors of nutmeg and vanilla make these cupcakes a festive delight.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup cannabutter, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup eggnog
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp eggnog
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Ground nutmeg (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the cannabutter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. Alternate adding the flour mixture and eggnog to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool before frosting.
  6. To make the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla. Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with nutmeg.


5. Cannabis-Infused Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a holiday staple, and this version includes a cannabis twist for added indulgence. The combination of rich, buttery pecans and the deep flavors of cannabis make this pie a standout dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup cannabutter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted cannabutter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Stir in the pecan halves and pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
  4. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Allow the pie to cool before serving.


Conclusion

These five cannabis-infused desserts are the perfect way to add a unique twist to your holiday celebrations. From the comforting warmth of gingerbread cookies to the rich indulgence of pecan pie, there’s something for everyone on this list. Remember, the key to these delightful treats is the cannabutter, so choose your cannabis strain wisely to create the perfect balance of flavor and effect. Enjoy these treats responsibly, and let the festive flavors and calming effects bring extra joy to your holiday season.