Easy Extra Potent Cannabutter Recipe

If you already know how to make cannabutter, it’s time to explore a more potent infusion for those looking to boost the strength of their edibles. This guide focuses on how to make weed butter that packs a punch. 

Whether enhancing desserts and baked goods or infusing savory dishes, this recipe will help you boost the potency for a stronger, more tailored experience. Learn how to create a rich, full-flavored cannabutter designed for maximum effect.

Decarboxylation 

Decarboxylation, or “decarbing,” is the first and most important step to creating potent weed butter. Without decarboxylation, your cannabis won’t contain activated THC, which means you won’t catch even the slightest buzz from your delicious edibles. 

Successfully creating decarboxylated cannabis involves heating your flower at a low temperature to activate the THC, which is largely responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects.

When heated, THCA (the raw, non-psychoactive compound) converts into THC, which your body can absorb more effectively. Think of it like waking up the cannabinoids—without this step, they’d stay dormant.

Collect what you’ll need for decarbing cannabis:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cannabis flower (about one ounce of your preferred potent strain)
• Oven

Follow this guide:

1. Preheat your oven to 230°F (110°C). This lower, steady temperature helps preserve flavor while activating the THC.
2. Break your cannabis flower into small, even pieces and spread them across a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a grinder is key here, as it increases surface area and ensures even exposure to heat, maximizing potency during decarboxylation.
3. Next, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Gently shake the tray about every ten minutes to ensure even heating.
4. Once your flower is slightly golden and fragrant, remove it from the oven and let it cool before you move on to the infusion process.

How to make strong cannabutter

With your cannabis fully decarbed, it’s time to infuse it with a high-fat butter (or oil, if preferred). Butter with a higher fat content can absorb more THC during the infusion process. Butter with higher saturated fat, such as unsalted butter or coconut oil (which is very high in saturated fats), is recommended when seeking potency—even if salted butter has a higher melting point.

This cannabutter recipe will produce extra-strength cannabutter, ideal for potent edibles. The stovetop method is a tried-and-true option that doesn’t require any special equipment, but you can also use a slow cooker, double boiler, or even the oven for the infusion if you prefer a hands-off approach. 

Collect what you’ll need:

• Your decarbed cannabis (remember, if you want the weed-to-butter ratio strong, you can go from 14 grams up to an ounce easily)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter
• 1 cup of water
• Cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer
• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Mason jars (or whatever storing container you prefer)

Follow these steps:

• Melt the butter.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat, adding a cup of water and stirring occasionally to prevent the butter from burning.

• Add your decarbed cannabis.

Stir the ground and decarbed plant material into the melted butter, ensuring the mixture is well combined.

• Simmer low and slow.

Let the mixture simmer on the lowest possible heat for 2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the heat—don’t let it boil over! Depending on the temperature, time length, and rate of evaporation, you may need to add more water during the process.

• Strain the butter.

Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl or mason jar. Slowly pour the butter mixture through the cheesecloth, allowing the liquid to pass through while catching the plant material.

• Cool and store.

Let the strained butter cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the fridge to solidify. Tada—you’re ready to infuse your next meal or sweet treat!

Homemade edibles with cannabutter

Once your cannabutter is ready, you can use it as a substitute for regular butter in almost any recipe. You can swap it in for butter in brownie mix, cookies, or even savory dishes like garlic bread or mashed potatoes. The possibilities are endless!

• Brownies

The most classic and obvious suspect. Replace the butter in your favorite brownie recipe with cannabutter for a potent dessert—perfect for a rich, fudgy treat with a kick.

• Garlic butter

Mix your cannabutter with garlic and herbs, and spread it over bread or melt it into pasta. It’s great on grilled meats, veggies, or even shrimp scampi.

• Grilled cheese

The ultimate stoner treat, you can slather your bread with cannabutter before grilling your cheese sandwich for a savory, elevated twist on classic comfort food.

• Popcorn

Melt cannabutter over freshly popped popcorn, and sprinkle with sea salt or parmesan for an infused movie snack.

• Cookies

Bake classic chocolate chip cookies with cannabutter for a sweet, mellow treat that will leave you with a pleasant high.

• Mashed potatoes

Fold cannabutter into mashed potatoes with cream and salt for a decadent, elevated side dish.

• Rice Krispies Treats

Another classic stoner go-to, you can swap in cannabutter for the regular butter in your Rice Krispies treats for a simple, sweet edible that’s easy to make.

Cannabutter dosing

Calculating the exact potency of your cannabutter can be tricky since there are a lot of variables—strain strength, butter absorption, and even cooking temperatures all play a role. However, here are some general guidelines to help you adjust the strength.

Weed-to-butter ratio: strong

For experienced users or those seeking a higher dose (a.k.a., more than 100mg per serving), you’ll want to use more cannabis. A ratio of 1 oz (28 grams) of cannabis to 1 cup of butter will be a good starting point for you.

Weed-to-butter ratio: average

For a balanced, average-strength butter, 7 to 10 grams of cannabis to 1 cup of butter is standard. This ratio works well for most people and is the one used in our main recipe above.

Weed-to-butter ratio: mild

If you’re new to edibles or making this for someone with a lower tolerance, try a milder batch. Use 3 to 5 grams of cannabis to 1 cup of butter. This is perfect for first-timers who want a mellow experience.

Storing weed butter

To make sure your cannabutter stays fresh, proper storage is key. Here are a few options, depending on how long you’re planning to keep it around.

Counter

If you plan to use your butter within a day or two, you can leave your butter at room temperature, but it’s not ideal for long-term storage.

Fridge

Cannabutter will last about two weeks in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to prevent odors from absorbing.

Freezer

For long-term storage, freeze your cannabutter. It can last for up to 6 months in the freezer. Just make sure to label it clearly!