The Best Cannabis Recipes for Summer

This time of year is a great time to focus on fresh beginnings. Cannabis edible enthusiasts around the country have extolled the positive benefits of cannabis consumption, including ease and discreteness of use, variety of products, and especially the physical and emotional relief cannabis can bring for many. So, what better way to awaken your mind, body, and senses than with some rejuvenating cannabis recipes?

First Things First

Like our cannabis brownies, most of these summer cannabis recipes call for cannabis-infused butter. If you’re looking to utilize pre-made cannabis chocolates, simply eliminate the cannabutter and pay careful attention to the product’s dosing guidelines.
With that in mind, our list of summer cannabis recipes will prepare you for any summer holiday and can be enjoyed all season long.

Easy To Follow Summer Cannabis Recipes

Creating your own edibles at home is much easier than most think. These next few recipes are simple to follow for anyone who is looking for a quick and simple cannabis-infused snack.

Infused Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic and adding the extra punch of cannabis infusion will make all the difference, and a great way to celebrate July 4th. This slight adjustment will take a traditional recipe and elevate it to make it a truly indulgent summer snack.

Makes: 12 Infused deviled eggs
Prep Time: 30 to 45 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 ½ Tbsp. cannabis oil
• 6 eggs
• ¼ c. mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. mustard
• 1 Tbsp. dill relish
• black pepper
• paprika

Directions:

1. First, you’ll need to boil your eggs. You can use a stove top, instant pot, or your preferred method.
2. Peel eggs to remove shells, keeping the whites fully intact. Cut each egg lengthwise, removing the yolks. Set the whites aside.
3. Combine yolks, cannabis oil, mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and black pepper to taste. Blend until smooth.
4. Carefully spoon the yolk mixture into the whites. Top with paprika. Enjoy.

Cannabis-Infused Marshmallow Cereal Treats

What’s better than a nostalgic favorite? How about a classic treat with an adult spin? Our cannabis-infused marshmallow cereal treats will make your whole heart happy.

Makes: One 9x13 inch pan
Prep Time: Under 30 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• ¼ c. cannabis butter
• 4 c. or 1 package of marshmallows
• 5 c. puffed rice cereal of your choice

Directions:

1. First, get your medium to large size saucepan, and melt your cannabis butter over medium-low heat.
2. Add the marshmallows in batches until they have begun to melt and are well mixed with the cannabis butter.
3. Removing the saucepan from heat, slowly incorporate the cereal into the cannabis butter/marshmallow mixture, and stir until fully incorporated.
4. Spray non-stick spray in a 9x13 inch pan and press mixture into it, spreading evening.
5. Let it rest until completely cooled. Enjoy.

More Involved Summer Cannabis Recipes

For those who are more experienced cooks or bakers, you may enjoy making something a little more involved. Sure, even the simplest cannabis-infused treats are delicious, but if you’d like something with a bit more challenge, the following recipes should scratch that itch. Browse our selection of gourmet cannabis-infused recipes for details.

Cannabis-Infused Mac And Cheese

What brings about feelings of comfort better than macaroni and cheese? This is one of the most universally enjoyed and beloved foods. Add in a little cannabis, and what was once a simple meal becomes an indulgent and elevated dish.

Makes: One 7x11 inch pan of infused mac and cheese
Prep Time: 45 to 60 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• ½ lb. rotini or elbow macaroni
• 5 Tbsp. cannabis butter
• ½ c. flour
• 2 ½ to 3 c. milk
• 1 c. shredded gruyere
• 2 c. shredded cheddar
• salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne, to taste
• breadcrumbs and cheese for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large pot, add water and salt. Then, bring the water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta of choice and cook, following package directions. Drain the pasta, and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, add cannabis butter, and melt over medium-low heat. Once melted, add in the flour, and whisk while the butter and flour combine.
4. Once fully incorporated, add in the milk, stirring until it thickens into a sauce.
5. Add cheese in batches, and stir until fully combined. Add in salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne to taste.
6. Stir in fully cooked pasta, mixing well.
7. In a buttered 7x11 pan, pour your cheesy pasta mixture, and spread evenly. Top with breadcrumbs and cheese, and slide the pan into the oven. Let it bake for 25 to 35 minutes, checking after 25 minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn.
8. Once the top is lightly browned and the sauce is bubbling, remove from the oven. Let rest for 5 minutes before enjoying it.

Cannabis-Infused Lemon Bundt Cake

Fresh citrus flavors embody the feeling of summer and encourage the excitement of the upcoming warm season. Lemon Bundt cake is a perfectly delicious, decadent dessert, and infusing a little cannabis into this moist cake can encourage those feelings of euphoria and relaxation.

Makes: Approximately 8 servings
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:

• 1 c. cannabis butter
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 c. flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 c. milk
• zest of 1 lemon

For the Icing:

• 1 ½ c. powdered sugar
• 3 to 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
• lemon zest

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream cannabis butter until smooth. Slowly incorporate sugar and lemon zest until fully combined.
3. Add eggs in one at a time, mixing well after each egg.
4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt together in another bowl and set aside.
5. Add milk and vanilla extract together.(in a separate bowl?)
6. Add flour mixture then milk mixture into sugar mixture, alternating between the flour and milk mixture in batches until fully incorporated.
7. Grease a Bundt pan, and pour batter evenly into the pan.
8. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Allow the cake to cool.
9. While the cake is cooling, mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest together to form a smooth icing. Let the icing set for a few minutes.
10. Once the cake is fully cooled, remove the cake from the pan. Pour icing over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Slice and enjoy.

Double-Baked Cheesecake

Cheesecake is the epitome of both celebration and enjoyment. Add a little cannabis and take your cheesecake to the next level. This double baked (pun intended!) cheesecake bakes once in the oven, and a second time by providing that pleasant “baked” sensation sought by many a cannabis connoisseur.

Makes: 8 to 10 servings
Prep Time: 2 ½ active prep time, plus 12 hours in the refrigerator

Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust:

• 1 ½ c. graham crackers, crushed
• 2 ½ Tbsp. sugar
• 2 ½ Tbsp. cannabis butter
• 2 Tbsp. butter

For the Filling:

• 2 lbs. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 ¼ c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 4 whole eggs plus 1 extra egg yolk, all room temperature
• ½ c. heavy cream
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. lemon zest

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in parchment paper or foil.
2. Combine both butters, and melt. Stir into crushed graham crackers and sugar.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan in an even layer. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned, and set aside.
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
5. Blend the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth, then add in sugar. Cream until fully incorporated.
6. Stir in cornstarch and whole eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg.
7. Stir in heavy cream, vanilla, and the lemon zest. Beat until fully combined and smooth.
8. Pour mixture into the springform pan on top of the precooked crust.
9. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Then, turn down the oven temperature to 225 degrees. Bake for an additional hour until the sides of the filling are set.
10. Leave the cake in the oven. Turn the heat off, and leave the cake in the oven for an additional hour.
11. Remove the pan from the oven, and let it come to room temperature. Then, refrigerate the cake for 12 hours, or overnight. Remove just before serving.

Start Summer The Right Way

If you're looking for a fun, easy, and decadent treat to add to your repertoire of cannabis recipes, you might want to give these fresh ideas a try. There's something here for every palette, and they aren’t difficult to make, even at home in your own kitchen. All it takes is a little extra effort and planning beforehand, and then you'll be able to enjoy the best cannabis recipes the season has to offer, all made with your own two hands.

References:

1. Barrus, D. G., Capogrossi, K. L., Cates, S. C., Gourdet, C. K., Peiper, N. C., Novak, S. P., Lefever, T. W., & Wiley, J. L. (2016). Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles. Methods report (RTI Press). https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2016.op.0035.1611
2. Lamy, F. R., Daniulaityte, R., Sheth, A., Nahhas, R. W., Martins, S. S., Boyer, E. W., & Carlson, R. G. (2016). "Those edibles hit hard": Exploration of Twitter data on cannabis edibles in the U.S. Drug and alcohol dependence, 164, 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.029
3. Giombi, K. C., Kosa, K. M., Rains, C., & Cates, S. C. (2018). Consumers' Perceptions of Edible Marijuana Products for Recreational Use: Likes, Dislikes, and Reasons for Use. Substance use & misuse, 53(4), 541–547. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2017.1343353