Make cannabis caramels by decarboxylating ground flower, infusing butter or cream with it, and cooking that infused dairy with sugar, corn syrup, and salt to 240 to 245°F. Pour the caramel into a lined pan, cool it fully, and cut it into small squares so each piece has a measured dose. The process takes about three hours, most of it hands-off infusion time.
Cannabis Caramels vs Gummies: Which One is More Convenient?
What ingredients and tools do you need?
Use food-safe equipment and keep the cannabis dose consistent from batch to batch.
- Decarboxylated cannabis flower, finely ground
- Unsalted butter or heavy cream
- Granulated sugar
- Light corn syrup
- Fine sea salt
- Vanilla extract
- Candy thermometer
- 8-inch square pan and parchment
How do you decarboxylate cannabis for caramels?
Spread ground cannabis on a parchment-lined baking sheet and heat it at 230°F for 35 to 40 minutes. This step converts THCA into THC, the form your body can use. Let the flower cool before infusing it, and keep the oven ventilated.
How do you infuse butter or cream?
Melt butter or warm cream in a saucepan, add the decarbed cannabis, and hold it at 160 to 180°F for two to three hours. Strain through cheesecloth and press gently to recover the infused fat. For a faster route, use a sous-vide circulator or a pre-made infused butter with a stated THC content.
How do you cook the caramel?
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment and grease it lightly.
- Combine 2 cups sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a heavy pot.
- Boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 250°F.
- Warm 1 cup infused cream and 1/2 cup infused butter.
- Slowly add the warm dairy to the syrup, stirring constantly.
- Cook the mixture to 240 to 245°F for soft caramels.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Pour into the pan and cool at room temperature for at least four hours.
How do you dose cannabis caramels?
Calculate total THC by multiplying the grams of flower by its THC percentage and by 1,000, then adjust for decarboxylation loss. Divide that total by the number of finished pieces. Start with a 2.5 to 5 mg piece, wait at least two hours, and adjust only after you know how your body responds.
How should you store cannabis caramels?
Wrap each caramel in wax paper, then store the pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Freeze caramels for up to three months and thaw them in the refrigerator to prevent condensation. Label the container with the dose and the date.
Why is convenience reshaping cannabis caramel making?
Pre-decarbed flower, ready-to-use infused butter, and caramel kits remove the most time-consuming steps from the process. Dosing calculators and lab-tested infusions make small-batch caramels more predictable for home cooks. Convenience now decides whether many people make caramels from scratch or start with a tested base.