How to make weed brownies

Cannabis-infused brownies — also called “happy brownies” — are one of the oldest edibles in the cannabis cookbook. Their sweet, chocolatey goodness satisfies those with a sweet tooth and those searching for a potent alternative to smoking weed.

The first weed brownies on record were created by famed cannabis activist Mary Jane Rathburn, who came to be known as "Brownie Mary." Rathburn wanted to provide much-needed cannabis medicine to hospitalized AIDS patients in the LGBTQ community, so she infused homemade brownies with cannabis and snuck them into hospitals in the 1980s. Rathburn was later arrested for them in a historic bust that catalyzed media attention around California's cannabis legalization movement. Today, Brownie Mary's exact recipe is lost to history, but her legacy lives on. 

Thousands of consumers, cannabis chefs, and DIY enthusiasts have tried their hand at whipping up some deliciously infused, chocolatey treats. Weed brownies are almost a right of passage in stoner culture, and you can learn how to make them at home.

What do you need to make weed brownies?

Recipes for most homemade cannabis brownies include a similar list of ingredients. 

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Here's what you need to get started:

• ½ cup of cannabutter or infused coconut oil
• Cooking spray
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder (add more cocoa powder for extra chocolate flavor)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

You'll also need the following baking tools:

• Oven
• 8-inch square baking pan
• Whisk for mixing
• Large saucepan

What to know before making weed brownies

As with any rite of passage, horror stories about pot brownie experiences gone awry have proliferated cannabis culture. 

Here are a few things you should remember before trying homemade brownies.

Tips for dosing

When it comes to edibles, proper dosage is everything. Depending on the cannabis flower you buy for your butter, one strain can be much more potent than another. 

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Is your weed THC-dominant, more CBD-heavy, or balanced? What is your weed's terpene profile? All these compounds and factors influence the effect your cannabis will have on you, particularly when your digestive system processes it. For example, a low-THC strain will be more suitable for a mellower canna-brownie experience. Ask a budtender at your local dispensary and read the label and lab certificate to get all this information. 

Once you've figured out a proper dosage, use that information to determine how much cannabis butter to put in your brownie recipe. Mixing infused and non-infused butter is fine to keep dosages milder. Remember: some trial-and-error will happen as you experiment, so start low and go slow to find your perfect dose.

Quality matters

The quality of your bud matters — especially when it comes to eating cannabis. While many states require lab testing for adult-use or medical cannabis, not all of them do. If you're infusing your own edibles, source your cannabis from a third-party-tested vendor.

Infusion options

We suggest two options for your infusion: cannabutter or infused coconut oil; this is the key to making a weed brownie. You must first decarboxylate your weed and infuse it into a high-fat carrier. Decarboxylation is the process of THCA turning into THC by way of heating the flower. 

Photo by: Weedmaps

This process occurs naturally when we smoke or vape weed but is an essential extra step when creating cannabis edibles. For example, butter absorbs the activated THC in the cannabis during the cooking process, making it ready to add to your recipe. Making cannabutter is simple, but cooking takes about three hours, so it's best to prep your weed butter before making your canna-brownies. 

Coconut oil is also an excellent dairy-free alternative for those who don't like butter or can't eat it due to dietary restrictions. Set aside five hours to make it, and follow this infused coconut oil recipe using a slow cooker. 

How to make weed brownies

Once you've assembled your ingredients and tools, it's time to start baking.

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Here is our tried and true weed brownie recipe:

Step 1: Preheat oven and prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray to prepare it for the finished brownie mixture.

Step 2: Melt cannabutter 

Melt the 1/2 cup of cannabutter in the large saucepan until completely liquefied. If you're substituting infused coconut oil, melt it in the saucepan until it's liquid and easily mixed.

Step 3: Stir in ingredients

Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the sugar, two eggs, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat in the 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and baking powder. If desired, mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl before adding them to the saucepan.

Note: Be sure to mix the infused butter or oil thoroughly, as that will make an even spread of cannabis throughout the recipe, which will produce even doses when you cut your brownies into squares.

Step 4: Bake

Pour the cannabis brownie batter into the greased pan, spreading evenly. Place the pan in the oven and allow the mixture to bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove the pan from the oven — you can insert a toothpick in the brownies, and if it comes out cleanly, your brownies are done.

Step 5: Let cool and serve

Remove the cannabis brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan before cutting them into equal servings.

Voila, your cannabis treats are ready to eat. To start, limit yourself to a single portion — or even less — and wait two hours before consuming more. While your recipe may be delicious, homemade edibles should be consumed with caution until you determine the proper dose for your body.

Storage instructions

Store your weed brownies in an airtight container, such as a zip-lock bag or Tupperware. Your batch will be good for about a week, but if you want them to last longer — up to three months — pop them in the freezer and warm them before serving.

FAQ

Is it okay to use box brownie mix?

Yes, pre-packaged brownie mix is excellent for quick weed brownies. Just replace the oil or butter with either cannabutter or infused coconut oil.

Will making weed brownies make my house smell?

Yes. The weed brownies will smell delightful when baking, but the source of the weed smell will come from making the cannabutter or infused coconut oil. 

Can I add additional ingredients?

Yes! This is just one of many recipes out there to make marijuana brownies. We recommend this recipe if it's your first time making them. Once you're more comfortable making them, feel free to add additional ingredients, such as extra chocolate chips or pecans. You can even switch out milk chocolate for dark chocolate or follow your own favorite brownie recipe and simply substitute the butter for cannabutter or cannabis oil.