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Cannabis Brownies (Boxed Mix)
Prep: 5 minutes | Bake: per box directions (~25–30 min) | Yield: 12–16 brownies
The classic first edible. A boxed brownie mix is the easiest way to make cannabis brownies because the recipe is already dialed in — you just swap the oil. No baking experience needed.
Oil vs. Butter: Which Box to Buy?
Oil-based mixes are better for cannabis infusion. Here's why:
|
Oil-Based Mix |
Butter-Based Mix |
| Cannabinoid binding |
Better — coconut oil is ~80% saturated fat, the best carrier for THC/CBD |
Good — butter is ~60% saturated fat, still effective |
| Substitution |
Direct 1:1 swap (cannabis coconut oil for vegetable oil) |
Requires making cannabutter first (extra step) or using coconut oil conversion |
| Water content |
None — oil is 100% fat |
Butter is ~20% water, which dilutes cannabinoid concentration slightly |
| Texture |
Fudgier, denser — ideal for edibles (masks cannabis flavor better) |
Cakier, lighter — cannabis taste can be more noticeable |
| Dosing math |
Simple — 1:1 means your oil's potency per tablespoon stays the same |
More complex if converting between butter and oil amounts |
Bottom line: Grab a box that calls for oil (⅓ to ½ cup). Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate, Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge, and Betty Crocker Fudge are all oil-based and widely available.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (oil-based — check the back for "vegetable oil" in the ingredient list)
- Cannabis-infused coconut oil — the amount the box calls for (usually ⅓ to ½ cup)
- Eggs — as directed on box (usually 1–2)
- Water — as directed on box (usually 2–4 tablespoons)
- Optional: lecithin (1 teaspoon, mixed into the oil) for more even distribution
Instructions
- Preheat oven to the temperature on the box (usually 325–350°F). Use the lower end — 325°F is better for preserving cannabinoids if the box gives a range.
- Gently melt your cannabis coconut oil if solid. Don't overheat — just warm enough to liquefy.
- Follow the box directions exactly, substituting cannabis oil for the vegetable oil. Mix until just combined — don't overmix.
- Pour into a greased or lined baking pan.
- Bake per box directions. Check a couple minutes early — slightly underdone = fudgier and preserves more cannabinoids.
- Let cool completely before cutting. Brownies firm up as they cool, and warm brownies are harder to cut into even portions (which matters for consistent dosing).
Dosing
This is the most important part. Homemade edibles have no lab testing — you're estimating.
Quick Estimate
If you infused 7g of cannabis at ~20% THC into 1 cup of oil:
- 7g × 1000mg/g × 20% = 1,400 mg THC total (theoretical maximum)
- Typical extraction efficiency is ~60–80%, so realistically ~840–1,120 mg in the full cup
- If the box calls for ⅓ cup oil → ~280–370 mg THC in the entire batch
- Cut into 16 brownies → ~17–23 mg per brownie
- Cut into 12 brownies → ~23–31 mg per brownie
⚠️ Start low. A standard dispensary edible dose is 5–10 mg. Homemade brownies are often stronger than people expect. Cut smaller pieces, eat half a brownie first, and wait
at least 2 hours before eating more. Edibles hit harder because the liver converts THC into
11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent metabolite.
Adjusting Strength
- Weaker brownies: Use half cannabis oil + half regular coconut oil (e.g., if box says ⅓ cup, use 2⅔ tbsp cannabis oil + 2⅔ tbsp plain oil)
- Stronger brownies: Infuse more cannabis into the oil (up to 14g per cup)
- More servings: Cut into 20–24 smaller pieces instead of 12–16
Tips
- Fudgy > cakey for edibles: Fudgier brownies mask the cannabis taste better. Use the "fudgy" instructions on the box if there are two options (usually means less water or an extra egg yolk).
- Don't bake above 340°F. THC begins to degrade at 355°F. The oven's internal temp is fine at 325–340°F — the brownie batter itself won't reach oven temp.
- Add chocolate chips, nuts, or swirl in peanut butter to further mask the herbal taste.
- Store in the fridge for best potency retention — coconut oil brownies can get soft at room temperature.
- Label clearly. These look identical to normal brownies. Don't leave them out where someone could eat them unknowingly.
- Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor and won't add coconut taste. Unrefined adds a subtle coconut note (some people like this with chocolate).
Why Not From Scratch?
You absolutely can make brownies from scratch with cannabis oil — any brownie recipe that calls for oil or melted butter works. But boxed mixes are foolproof, consistent, and the results are predictable. When you're working with infused oil that you can't easily replace if the batch fails, consistency matters. Master the box version first.