Making your own weed-infused ice cream at home is a fun and rewarding process! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create your own cannabis-infused ice cream, along with some tips for ensuring the right dosage and flavor.
Ingredients for Weed-Infused Ice Cream
- Cannabis Butter or Cannabis Coconut Oil (for infusion):
- 1/2 cup of cannabis butter (you can also use cannabis coconut oil or infused cream)
- OR cannabis tincture (liquid form) for easier infusion
- Ice Cream Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or any flavoring of your choice)
- 4 large egg yolks (optional, for custard-style ice cream)
Steps to Make Weed-Infused Ice Cream
- Decarboxylate Your Cannabis (if not using pre-made cannabis butter/oil):
- Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
- Break up the cannabis flower and spread it evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, to activate the THC.
- Once decarboxylated, grind the cannabis to a fine consistency.
- Make Cannabis-Infused Butter (or Coconut Oil):
- If you don’t already have cannabis butter, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter or coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add 1/4 ounce of decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter or oil.
- Simmer on low heat (no higher than 200°F) for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove the plant material.
- Let it cool and use it in your ice cream recipe.
- Prepare the Ice Cream Base:
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream, milk, and sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks (if using).
- Slowly pour a small amount of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs (to avoid scrambling them).
- Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the cream, and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency (this should take around 10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract (or any flavoring you prefer).
- Infuse the Cannabis:
- Once the ice cream base has cooled slightly (but is still warm), add your cannabis butter or oil.
- Stir thoroughly until it is evenly mixed.
- Chill the Ice Cream Mixture:
- Transfer the mixture to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours, or until it’s fully cooled. This helps the flavors meld together and gives the mixture a smooth texture.
- Churn the Ice Cream:
- Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 20-25 minutes).
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can also pour the mixture into a shallow pan and place it in the freezer. Stir every 30-45 minutes for 4-5 hours to break up ice crystals and achieve a creamy texture.
- Freeze the Ice Cream:
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container.
- Let it freeze for at least 4 hours (overnight is ideal) to firm up.
Dosage Considerations
- Cannabis Infusion Strength: The strength of your ice cream will depend on the potency of the cannabis you’re using. To determine the dose, you’ll need to know the THC content of your cannabis strain and how much you’re infusing into the butter or oil. As a general guideline, 10-15 milligrams of THC per serving is a standard starting point for most users, but adjust based on your preferences and tolerance.
- Dosage Tips: If you’re making ice cream for a group, it’s a good idea to create different strengths (e.g., low-dose and high-dose options) so that guests can choose based on their tolerance.
Fun Variations:
- Flavors: You can customize the flavor of your ice cream by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit to the base mixture.
- Mix-ins: Consider adding swirl-ins like caramel, chocolate fudge, or even CBD oil for an extra touch of relaxation.
Making weed-infused ice cream at home can be a fun and creative way to enjoy cannabis. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have a delicious and potent treat that’s perfect for summer socials!