Have you ever wondered “how do I make cannabis-infused lollipops” but were too nervous to give it a try?
Homemade edibles don’t have to be complicated or nerve-wracking. In fact, making DIY infusions can save money and allow home chefs to customize flavors, sugar content, and THC potency to their heart’s desire.
Pro tip: Take a peek at Leafly’s edibles dosing chart to learn how to make your edible creations the exact right THC: CBD ratio for you.
What you’ll need:
- Thermometer
- Candy molds (any kind: lollipop, pot leaf, adult-only shapes)
- Pastry brush
- Lollipop sticks
- Colouring
- Flavouring
Thermometers
A thermometer is a must for making this recipe, or any hard candy, successfully. When selecting a thermometer for cooking, you’ll have a few different choices including: glass, digital, and glass/metal hybrid.
Glass thermometers (recommended)
Glass deep fry/candy thermometers are designed for making candy. Made completely of glass they hook onto the side of any pot to monitor the temperature.
Using a flat-sided pot will allow the tip of the thermometer to be directly immersed in the cooking mixture. Do not allow the tip to touch the bottom of the pot. They are incredibly delicate and do break easily.
Also, remember to allow glass thermometers to cool fully before immersing them in water (I have broken my fair share by learning the hard way).
Metal and glass thermometers
Metal and glass candy thermometers are a more durable option. They hook onto the side of the pot with the tip immersed in the cooking liquid.
The metal edge lists the different stages of temperatures of cooking candy. These thermometers are safe and easy to use.
Digital thermometers
Another option is digital thermometers with removable temperature probes. They are inexpensive and are very versatile in the kitchen. The probe is attached by a heat-proof wire. Holding the probe in the mixture, but not touching the bottom, will give the most accurate temperature reading.
Candy molds (optional)
Technically, you could do this recipe without a mold but we highly recommend one while working with hot liquid sugar.
You can pick any shape that excites you, just be sure to grab the silicone molds instead of cheap plastic ones. You don’t want melted plastic in your pot.
If you want to skip the molds, buy a box of parchment paper. Using a spoon you can create delicate artisan weed lollipops using just parchment.
Learn more about DIY edibles at home
Pastry brush
We use a pastry brush to wash down the inside of the pot while cooking the sugar. They can come in silicone or natural bristle brushes. Pastry brushes are available for a few dollars in any store that sells kitchen utensils. Afterward, they are great for applying bbq sauce when grilling.
Lollipop sticks
Lollipop sticks are available in the candy-making department of any craft store. Most dollar stores and Walmart now carry a large assortment of candy-making supplies.
Flavouring additives (optional)
You can find a variety of flavourings in the grocery store, Bulk Barn, or any center with a baking section. It’s cool if you want weed-flavoured suckers, but a dash of mint or citrus really kicks it up a notch.
Pro tip: Use caution when adding flavouring to the hot sugar mixture. Most flavourings will create a burst of hot steam when added.
Food colour (optional)
Food colouring has come a long way since those four packs of squeeze bottles of red, green blue, and yellow. Those colour kits can be found in the grocery store, but we recommend gel food colouring for more colour variety.
When using gel food colouring it’s wise to have a few butter knives on hand. Use them to dip into the food colouring then we swirl the utensil through the hot candy mixture. Use a fresh knife each time you want to add colour.
How to make weed-infused lollipops
Ingredients:
Pro tip: Assemble all of the ingredients and tools before you get started. Cooking sugar to make candy is a hot sticky process. Oven mitts are a smart safety precaution to have on hand.
- 1-3 tsp cannabis butter or oil infusion (adjust for tolerance)
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1½ tsp flavouring
- 2-3 drops food colouring (optional)
This recipe makes up to 16 servings* and takes 15 minutes of prep, plus 30 minutes of cook time, for a total time of 45 minutes.
*For molded treats like the ones pictured, you will get approximately 8 lollipops. For freeform lollipops you will get up to 16 as they will spread out and be quite thin.
Important: For candy such as weed lollipops, or any hard candy, the mixture must reach 300°F. In candy-making, this is the “Hard Crack” stage, it assures the mixture will set correctly into a hard candy. It will take about ten minutes to reach this temperature.
- First, spray silicone mold lightly spray the surface with non-stick spray. Gently wipe with a paper towel to remove most of the surface oil. Add the lollipop sticks and set them aside.
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar is dissolved, do not stir the mixture any further.
- Using a wet pastry brush wipe down the inside of the pot to remove all traces of sugar. Clip a thermometer to the edge of the pot or insert the probe into the mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Watch the temperature closely, we want to remove the pot from heat immediately when it hits 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the pot on a heat-proof mat. If you are using gel food colouring dip a toothpick into the colour and swirl it through the hot liquid candy. For liquid colouring add a few drops and stir to distribute the colour.
- Next, it’s time for the weed! Add the cannabis oil, and flavouring if you’re using it, stirring quickly to combine. (Remember, keep your face away from the pot when adding the flavouring as it may create a burst of hot steam).
- Once all your ingredients are combined, carefully pour the hot liquid candy into the mold or onto parchment paper. Place a lollipop stick into the center, making sure it’s fully covered with the candy. Allow the lollipops to cool fully or it will be a sticky mess.
Store your weed candy in a dry location. Humidity will cause the lollipops to become sticky. And most importantly, have fun! This is cannabis after all. Leafly’s simple yet versatile lollipop edibles recipe has endless flavour, potency, and colour combinations, so don’t be afraid to make your own tasty iterations and tell us in the comments below.
