Cannabis Chocolate Brownies

Introduction

These brownies rely on cannabis-infused butter for their base, then get most of their structure from 250 g of self-raising flour and most of their richness from 300 g of chocolate chips. A little grated lemon zest keeps the flavor from reading flat or overly heavy. Plan on a long, low infusion followed by a short bake, then cut the finished pan into small portions for controlled serving.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 4 g cannabis, ground
• 60 g (½ stick/2.1 oz) butter
• 300 g (3½ cups/11 oz) chocolate chips
• 180 ml (¾ cup/160 g/5.6 oz) white granulated sugar
• 2 standard eggs
• 5 ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla powder (use half this amount if you prefer less rich vanilla flavor)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grated lemon zest
• 250 g (1¾ cups/8.8 oz) self-raising flour

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and stir in the cannabis. Cook slowly over a low temperature for 2-3 hours. Do not allow to boil or exceed 200 °F (93°C).
2. If desired, strain the butter to remove the cannabis solids.
3. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler. Combine the melted chocolate and infused butter, stirring until smooth.
4. Stir in the sugar, and allow the mixture to cool if needed.
5. Stir in the eggs, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest until smooth.
6. Fold in the flour just until combined.
7. Transfer the batter to a greased and/or parchment-lined pan.
8. Bake at 360°F/180°C for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without any batter on it.

Variations

• Strain the infused butter in step 2: Removing the cannabis solids gives you a smoother brownie with less herbal texture and a cleaner chocolate finish.
• Swap the grated lemon zest for orange zest: Orange keeps the citrus lift but gives the brownies a rounder, slightly sweeter edge.
• Use dark chocolate chips instead of standard chocolate chips: The finished brownies will be less sweet and a little firmer once cooled.
• Replace part of the white granulated sugar with light brown sugar: Swapping up to half adds a deeper flavor and a slightly softer, moister crumb.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans when folding in the flour: You get crunch and a less uniform fudgy texture without changing the method much.

Tips for Success

• Keep the butter below 200 °F (93°C) during the cannabis infusion; if it gets too hot, the flavor turns harsher and the infusion is less controlled.
• After stirring in the sugar, let the mixture cool if needed before adding the eggs so they blend in smoothly instead of setting on contact.
• Fold in the self-raising flour only until you no longer see dry streaks; overmixing makes the brownies tougher and less tender.
• Use a parchment-lined pan if you want clean edges and easy lifting for even portioning.
• Start checking at the lower end of the baking window and pull the pan when the center no longer looks wet and the toothpick shows no raw batter.

Storage and Reheating

Store the brownies in a clearly labeled airtight container with parchment between layers. They keep at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.

For longer storage, wrap individual pieces and freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.

To reheat, use the microwave for 8–12 seconds per piece, or warm them in a 300°F/150°C oven for 5–8 minutes. Reheating is optional; these also eat well at room temperature. Keep them away from children, pets, and anyone who might mistake them for regular brownies.

FAQ

Do I need to strain the cannabis solids out of the butter?

No. Straining gives you a smoother texture, while leaving the solids in keeps a stronger herbal note.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-raising flour?

Yes. Use 250 g all-purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons baking powder and the same pinch of salt, and expect a slightly denser result if you overmix.

What pan size should I use?

An 8-inch square pan gives thicker brownies, while a 9-inch square pan gives thinner ones. Start checking early if you use a larger pan because the batter will bake faster.

How should you portion cannabis brownies?

Cut them into small squares first rather than large pieces. Potency depends on the cannabis used and how strong the butter infusion is, so smaller portions make the result easier to manage.