How to Make Festive Marijuana Dishes
Last updated on Dec 5, 2024
Created on Dec 7, 2021
Article written by
Dipak HemrajMedical Cannabis Researcher
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis Jassey
Now that the holidays have arrived, many of us are eager to get in the kitchen and whip up our favorite seasonal treats. And, what better way to get into the spirit than by turning classic recipes into tasty edibles? Homemade marijuana edibles offer a major boost of holiday cheer, and can seriously come in handy as you navigate the more stressful parts of the season.
Thankfully, it’s easy to turn just about any recipe into a cannabis-infused treat with the right ingredients and, of course, cannabis. Below are three of our favorite holiday recipes that capture the comfort and decadence we crave this time of year.
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First things first: Canna oil or cannabutter?
Before you start making cannabis-infused edibles, you’ll need to have a batch of canna oil or cannabutter ready to go. These are simply cannabis-infused fats that can be substituted for traditional fats in recipes.
Most people prefer using cannabutter when it comes to baking. However, canna oil can often be a great alternative, if the recipe allows for it. Keep in mind that the strength of your edibles will be as potent as the cannabutter or canna oil you make, and the amount you use.
Sometimes a recipe will specifically call for cannabutter or canna oil. In general, butter is preferred for baking, but there are always exceptions to the rule. When it comes to roasting or cooking, canna oil is usually best, although we admit that there are occasions when cooking with butter is undoubtedly worth it!
Medicated mac ‘n’ cheese
Nothing says “comforting” like mac ‘n’ cheese, and a little cannabutter can take that comfort to a whole new level. This is an easy recipe to turn vegan since you can easily replace the milk, butter, and cheese with plant-based alternatives. This recipe makes about two to three servings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
- Up to 1/4 cup of cannabutter — if using lower amounts of cannabutter, use some regular butter to make up the rest
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- One teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- One large egg (omit if you’re making vegan mac ‘n’ cheese)
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar (or vegan equivalent), shredded, divided
- One teaspoon salt
- One teaspoon ground black pepper
- Optional: some people prefer “cutting” the cheddar with additional cheeses like Gruyère, Emmental cheese, and Parmesan
For the dried topping
- Up to 1/4 cup cannabutter — replace with regular butter if using lower amounts of cannabutter
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- Optional: chives, fried bacon, or vegan bacon
Cooking instructions
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 2
Cook the pasta to “al dente” in a large pot of salted water.
STEP 3
While the pasta is cooking, add all but three tablespoons of the cannabutter to a large pan, along with the onion. Bring the heat to low, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about five minutes, preventing any lumps from forming, ensuring the mixture doesn’t boil or simmer. Stir in the milk, whisking immediately.
STEP 4
Temper in the egg by cracking it into a small bowl and adding two teaspoons (one at a time) of the hot pasta water while rapidly stirring. Quickly stir the egg into the béchamel (white sauce), 3/4 of the cheese, and season with salt and pepper.
STEP 5
Drain the cooked macaroni and fold it into the sauce before pouring the mix into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
STEP 6
Melt the remaining cannabutter and/or regular butter in a small saute pan, and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
STEP 7
Remove from the oven and rest a few minutes before serving.
Roast POT-atoes
This is an easy recipe, and you don’t have to limit yourself to potatoes — root vegetables of any kind, like yams, carrots, or parsnips work just as well. You could even do a cannabis-infused roast vegetable medley if you so wish!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
- ¼ cup duck fat (if you’re feeling decadent), or ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp of an oil for high-heat cooking, like avocado or sunflower oil
- 3 to 5 tbsp cannabis oil
- 2 tbsp herb blend, consisting of salt and pepper plus dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and/or tarragon
- 2 tsp flour
- Kosher sea salt flakes, to serve
Cooking instructions
STEP 1
Put a roasting tray in the oven. The roasting tray should be big enough to fit the potatoes in a single layer. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
STEP 2
Peel the potatoes and cut each into quarters.
STEP 3
Drop the potatoes into a large pan and pour enough water to barely cover them.
STEP 4
Add salt to the water, then wait for the water to boil. Allow the potatoes to cook halfway so you can easily pierce them with a fork without breaking them apart.
STEP 5
Meanwhile, put the duck fat or cooking oil into the hot roasting pan and heat it in the oven for two to three minutes.
STEP 6
Drain the potatoes in a colander, then shake the colander back and forth a few times to fluff up the outsides.
STEP 7
Sprinkle the potatoes with flour, and give them another shake to evenly coat.
STEP 8
Carefully put the potatoes into the hot fat – they will sizzle as they go in – then turn and roll them around in the fat or oil, so they’re coated all over. At this point, you can add the canna oil and stir it into the potatoes.
STEP 9
Spread them in a single layer, ensuring they have plenty of room.
STEP 10
Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes, then take them out of the oven and turn them over.
STEP 11
Roast for another 15 minutes and turn them over again. Put them back in the oven for 10-20 mins to get them golden and crisp. Don’t worry if the color is uneven.
STEP 12
Sprinkle with sea salt flakes and serve straight away.
Cannabis-infused cookies
Canna cookies are a classic, so much so that you can find them in many dispensaries. However, there’s nothing quite like the taste and smell of freshly baked cookies. Plus you won’t have to worry about eating preservatives, additives, or excess sugar when you make them yourself.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup cannabutter (cannabis coconut oil also works!)
- One large egg, beaten – for vegans, two tablespoons of aquafaba (the water in a can of chickpeas or white beans) can be used to replace the egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips – you may use cannabis-infused chocolate chips if you so choose
- Optional: Holiday spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and/or ginger.
Cooking instructions
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt (and Christmas spices, if you’re using them). Set aside.
STEP 3
In a medium mixing bowl, cream the sugar and oil or butter using a hand beater until the mixture is light and fluffy – approximately two to three minutes.
STEP 4
Add the egg and vanilla, and beat well.
STEP 5
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while continuing to mix.
STEP 6
When the dough is formed, gently fold in the chocolate chips.
STEP 7
Use a tablespoon to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball, and place the balls evenly spread on a baking sheet. Gently flatten the dough with your hands. For an extra festive feel, you can use holiday-themed cookie cutters.
STEP 8
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on the bottom.
STEP 9
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for one to two minutes. Remove from the tray and transfer to a cooling rack.
Tips for consuming homemade edibles
When it comes to edibles especially, we recommend going low and slow. If you plan on infusing all three courses of your meal with cannabis, use lower amounts than called for in each dish. Alternatively, just infuse cannabis into one of your dishes, and leave the rest “unmedicated” so you can enjoy the experience (and the munchies) without going overboard this holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to make edibles at home?
Making homemade edibles with cannabis is every bit as legal as buying and consuming it from a licensed dispensary, assuming your state allows it!
Does cannabutter/canna oil burn?
Like any ingredient, cannabutter or canna oil can burn if you cook it for too long or at too high a temperature. That’s why we recommend following your recipe carefully and making sure that you don’t leave your cannabis-infused ingredient on the stove or in the oven for longer than needed.
How long is cannabutter/canna oil good for?
When stored properly, cannabutter and canna oil can last about six months. We suggest storing your product in an airtight jar. Butter should be refrigerated, and oil should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place, like a kitchen cabinet.
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