How to Make Cannabis Brownies Safely and Deliciously

When it comes to cannabis edibles, few treats are as iconic—or as tempting—as the classic cannabis brownie. Whether you’re new to making edibles or you’re looking to refine your method, this guide will walk you through how to make cannabis brownies that are both safe and irresistibly delicious. In this post, we’ll cover everything from decarboxylation to dosing and provide a foolproof cannabis brownie recipe using cannabutter. Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Basics: Why Cannabis Brownies?

Cannabis brownies have stood the test of time for one main reason: they’re easy to make, mask the herbal taste of cannabis well, and deliver a long-lasting effect. Plus, baking brownies is simple, familiar, and allows for excellent customization.

But before we get into how to make cannabis brownies, it’s important to understand the science behind them, especially when it comes to safety and proper dosing.

Decarboxylation: Unlocking the Potency

To make effective edibles, you first need to activate the THC in your cannabis through a process called decarboxylation. Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is non-psychoactive until it’s heated.

How to Decarb Cannabis:

1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Break cannabis buds into small pieces.
3. Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once cooled, this decarbed cannabis is ready to be infused into butter or oil.

Making Cannabutter: The Heart of Cannabis Brownies

You can’t make great cannabis brownies without cannabutter. This infused butter acts as the fat-based carrier for THC and is essential for turning your brownies into effective edibles. If you’re new to the process, read our full guide on how to make cannabis butter for detailed steps and dosage tips.

Basic Cannabutter Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup decarboxylated cannabis (around 7–10 grams)
• 1 cup water (to prevent burning)

Steps:

1. Melt butter with water on low heat in a saucepan.
2. Add ground cannabis and simmer on low (160–200°F or 70–93°C) for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Strain using cheesecloth into a glass jar or container.
4. Cool, then refrigerate.

Now you’re ready for how to make cannabis brownies with cannabutter—the fun part!

How to Make Cannabis Brownies (Step-by-Step)

This cannabis brownie recipe is designed to be easy yet effective, with a rich chocolate flavor that complements the cannabis infusion.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cannabutter (see dosage tips below)
• ½ cup regular butter (optional, for milder potency)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• Optional: chocolate chips, nuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the cannabutter (and regular butter, if using).
3. Mix in sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and flour. Stir just until combined.
5. Fold in extras like chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
7. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Dosing: How Much Cannabis Butter for Brownies?

This is one of the most common questions for beginners: How much cannabis butter for brownies is safe?

Basic Dosing Math:

• Let’s say you used 7 grams of cannabis with 15% THC.
• That equals 1,050mg total THC (7g x 1,000mg x 0.15).
• If you use half a cup of that cannabutter to make 12 brownies, each piece contains about 87mg of THC. This breakdown helps you adjust the dosage more accurately.

Tips for Safer Dosing:

• Start with ¼ or ½ a brownie, especially if you’re new to edibles.
• Wait at least 90 minutes before consuming more.
• Consider mixing regular butter with cannabutter to lower potency.

Remember, the effects of edibles are delayed and long-lasting. Patience is key.

Flavor Boosting & Safety Tips

Flavor Ideas:

• Add espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Swirl in peanut butter or cream cheese before baking.
• Top with flaky sea salt or frosting for extra indulgence.

Safety Essentials:

• Always label your edibles
• Keep away from kids and pets
• Track your recipe and dosage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced bakers can slip up. Here are a few mistakes to watch out for when learning how to make cannabis brownies:

1. Skipping decarboxylation – Without this, your brownies won’t be psychoactive.
2. Overheating the butter – THC degrades above 250°F (121°C).
3. Underestimating potency – Always test a small portion first.
4. Not mixing evenly – Stir thoroughly to distribute the THC uniformly.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to make cannabis brownies isn’t just about baking—it’s about responsibility, chemistry, and culinary creativity. Done right, you’ll have a tasty, potent treat that’s perfect for relaxing evenings or sharing with fellow enthusiasts (responsibly, of course).

Whether you’re using this guide for your first cannabis brownie or you’re simply looking to improve your recipe, remember: it all comes down to quality ingredients, proper technique, and safe dosing.