If you dream of trying your hand at your own infused creations, DIY edibles are not out of reach! You can use trim, shake, or ground flower to whip up your own desserts and savory bites from the comfort of your home. Our quick guide to making your edibles with trim will get you started.
7 ingredients you can infuse with trim
The first step in the DIY edibles process is to decide what you want to make. For the most part, you’re going to infuse an ingredient that goes into a recipe (unless you want to eat a spoonful of butter — you do, but we wouldn’t recommend it.)
Many of these ingredients have high fat content. That’s strategic: cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which means they dissolve into fat rather than water. It’s best, then, to infuse a fatty ingredient. Seven of our favorites are:
- Butter: A classic, butter is the perfect addition to cookies, brownies, and other go-to goodies.
- Olive oil: You can use infused olive oil as a salad dressing or to finish a delicious, savory dish.
- Coconut oil: Not only is coconut oil a delicious ingredient on its own but it can be used to make your own infused topicals and skincare.
- Avocado oil: This versatile, mild oil can be mixed into both sweet and savory dishes.
- Honey: This unique take on cannabis-infused ingredients is an excellent addition to smoothies or drizzles on some pancakes. Talk about wake and bake!
- Simple syrup: Create a tasty mixer that’s perfect for cocktails, sans the alcohol.
- Yogurt: This one may surprise you, but the high-fat content in yogurt makes it a great vehicle for infusion.
Why use trim to make your own edibles?
It takes a good amount of finely ground weed to make your edibles. Using shake, trim, or pre-ground flower takes the work out of prepping all the cannabis you need to prepare your infused ingredients. Plus, trim and shake in particular tend to be more affordable than whole flower, so you can buy the amount you need without making a dent in your wallet.
Can you use pre-ground flower to make your own edibles?
Yes! Pre-ground flower is whole flower that’s already been ground up for you. Depending on the brand, you may find some ready-to-go flower that includes trim or shake, which is what’s left over after trimming. No matter if you’re using pre-ground flower, trim, or shake, the same principles for making your edibles apply.
First step, decarboxylation: The science behind making your own infusions
With an ingredient and your weed in hand, it’s time to start the DIY edibles process.
Cannabis needs to be decarboxylated before you can make any infused creation. “Decarbing” involves exposing cannabis to low heat to convert the non-psychoactive, acidic form of THC, called THC-A, into the active THC that interacts with your endocannabinoid system and gets you high.
The most traditional method of decarbing trim involves baking your cannabis in the oven.
You can buy specialized devices, like the Magical Butter, LĒVO, or Ardent, for the same purpose. These devices provide some advantages in the edible-making process, streamlining and automating many of the decarboxylation steps. Either way, when working with trim specifically, it’s important to decarb with low temperatures, as higher temperatures could burn the flower and ruin your dreamy confections.
For step-by-step decarbing instructions, check out Leafly’s decarboxylation guide.
Equipment you’ll need to make edibles with trim
While making edibles at home is relatively simple, a few pieces of equipment are necessary for success. Before you delve into the process, make sure you have:
- An oven
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cheesecloth or hash bag
- Saucepan or crockpot
- Your ingredient of choice
- Your cannabis flower from Queen City
If you’re using a specialized machine like the Levo 2 or The MagicalButter Machine, you can skip the supplies and get straight to edible-making.
Recipes for making infused butter or oil
As we mentioned, the best way to start on any cannabis edible is by infusing the ingredients of your choice. Here are some simple steps to get you started:
How to make cannabutter with trim
- Decarb: Spread your cannabis trim on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 245 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Remember to shake the tray every 10 minutes for even decarboxylation.
- Prepare the butter: Place a small or medium-sized pot on low heat, then add one cup of water and one cup of butter. Let it simmer until the butter has completely melted.
- Incorporate the trim: Once the butter is melted, add the decarbed cannabis trim and stir your mixture.
- Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 hours. Stir periodically, and do not let it come to a boil.
- Strain: Use a funnel and cheesecloth, or a specialized “hash bag,” to strain the mixture into a container.
- Store and separate: Let the mixture cool down, then store your cannabutter in the fridge until the water separates from the butter. The cannabutter will rise to the top and create a hard layer.
How to make infused oil
The steps for making cannabis-infused oil are similar to that of butter. Start with olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or really any fatty oil of choice – then follow these steps:
- Decarb: Same as with the butter, spread your cannabis trim on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 245 degrees for 30-40 minutes, shaking the tray every 10 minutes for even decarboxylation.
- Combine trim and oil: On the stove, in a saucepan or a crock-pot, add a 1:1 mixture of your oil of choice with the decarbed cannabis trim. If you’re using the stovetop, it’s a good idea to add a small amount of water to the oil to prevent scorching.
- Allow for infusion: Allow the plant matter and oil to steep for about 20 minutes over medium heat, stirring periodically to ensure consistent infusion. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to continue steeping for an additional 30 minutes. If you’re using a crockpot, this process will take close to 4 hours on low heat.
- Strain: Strain your canna oil through a cheesecloth or strainer to remove the plant material.
How to calculate the dose per serving of your edibles
Calculating the dose per serving for homemade edibles can be tricky, but it’s a pretty straightforward process. High Times has outlined a simple dosing formula to help.
- Estimate THC content. Start by estimating the THC content of your trim. Check out the package or utilize lab-tested data to get this information. Divide that number by 1,000 to establish the per-milligram amount.
- Calculate. Determine the number of milligrams in your infusion and the amount of infusion you will use to make your recipe. Divide that by the number of servings your recipe yields, and you will know the per-serving dose. Note: On average, 1 gram of cannabis = 1000 milligrams, and 10% of 1000 milligrams is 100 milligrams. In other words, one gram of cannabis contains 100 milligrams of THC. Here’s an example: If you used half an ounce (aka 14 grams) of cannabis to make one cup of butter, that would mean 1400 milligrams of THC went into that one cup of butter. If you used 1/2 cup of that butter to make a batch of 24 cookies, the entire batch would contain 700 milligrams. Divide 700 mg by the number of servings (24), and each cookie will contain about 29 milligrams of THC.
You can use this formula to create recipes that always ensure you are delivering a THC dose that meets your needs.
Tips for making edibles with trim
There are several crucial tips to keep in mind when making homemade edibles from trim. Make a note of the following techniques to achieve high-quality edibles that deliver potency and flavor.
- Maintain low temps when cooking: Always opt for low temperatures when preparing your cannabis-infused products. This helps to preserve the potency and flavor of the cannabinoids.
- Always stir thoroughly: When infusing cannabis with fats like butter or oil, it’s important to keep the mixture moving throughout the infusion process. This ensures that the distribution of cannabinoids is spread throughout the mixture and leads to consistent potency.
- Strain for a pleasant taste: After infusing any product, it’s important to strain the mixture to remove the cannabis trim. This not only refines the texture but also prevents any unpleasant or unwanted taste or textures in your final product.
- Ensure proper storage for longevity: Extend the shelf-life of your infused creations by storing them in air-tight containers in a cool, dark place. This will prevent degradation and ensure they maintain their potency for as long as possible.
Elevate your edibles with Queen City
After decarboxylating your trim, infusing cannabinoids with fatty material should always result in precise and consistent edibles. When it comes to sourcing top-tier material for your homemade confections, Queen City is New Jersey’s go-to destination. Embark on your cannbis edible-making journey confidently, knowing that Queen City provides the foundation for exceptional creations. Happy cooking!
