The “special brownie” needs less introduction than most baked goods, but you’ll find no sloppily constructed, slightly burnt bars here. For those who don’t live near a dispensary (or a group of friendly college kids), here's a low-key way to get your hands on safe, tasty edibles: Go homemade. Not only will they taste better, but when you DIY, you’re also fully in charge of how much bud actually ends up in the brownies. This recipe calls for a full 1/8 ounce of cannabis, yet the process still works if you decide to use less. We made the full batch of the following cannabutter recipe, used our preferred amount in the brownies, and stored the excess in the fridge in a clearly marked container (emphasis on "clearly marked").
Before you dump the contents of your grinder into a box of Duncan Hines Double Fudge, hang on a sec. To draw out cannabis’s full potential in edibles, it must be decarboxylated. Decarba-what? Decarboxylation is basically a fancy way of saying that the herb needs to be heated to fully activate to its psychoactive form. Think: A joint won’t get anyone high unless it’s lit on fire.
Pro tip: If you’re not keen on the classic flavor and scent of weed, add finely minced mint leaves to the batter; it will offset the potency of the cannabis flavor.
Note: This recipe makes 16 potent brownies. While they are delicious, we do not recommend you eat more than one at a time. However, if you make this recipe with regular butter (not cannabutter), feel free to eat half the tray.