5 Neat Wintertime Baking Recipes with CBD Hemp Flower

Hemp flower is the raw buds of the hemp plant, which are naturally rich in valuable compounds including CBD, terpenes and nutrients.  While smoking and vaping flower are the most popular ways to consume this type of product, you can also bake with it to make your own homemade edibles.  And, what better time to get into the kitchen with CBD flower than during the winter, when we crave rich and satisfying seasonal baked goods?

Making the CBD Butter

Initially, you need to create a CBD-infused butter that can be used as the fat in your recipe, as hemp flower on its own is not fat-soluble.  Once you make a batch, it can last for about 6 months in the fridge.

First, place two cups of NAM Wellness loose hemp flower buds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and then bake for 25 minutes at 250 degrees.  This will activate the cannabinoids so that they absorb properly into the body.

Now, grind your buds up coarsely, and place them into a saucepan along with a cup of water and 2 sticks of unsalted butter.  Simmer on low heat for 2 and a half hours, making sure it doesn’t boil.  Pour the butter into a jar through a strainer, and then refrigerate.

Here are 5 recipes that you can create with CBD butter made from NAM Wellness CBD hemp flower.

Wintertime Baking Recipe #1: Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies always get us into that winter spirit, and these cookies go the extra mile with a generous helping of good old hemp.

Ingredients:

• 10 tbsp CBD butter, softened at room temperature
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• ½ tsp ground cloves

Getting to Work:

1. Grab a large mixing bowl and beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
2. Beat in the molasses and vanilla, followed by the egg until you have a smooth mix.
3. Into separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda and spices.
4. Stir well.
5. With our beater setting on low, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
6. Turn the dough out onto a surface and cut into two portions.
7. Wrap each one in cling wrap and chill overnight.
8. The next day, remove the dough from your refrigerator and set the oven to 350 degrees.
9. Roll out both portions of dough to about ¼ inches of thickness.
10. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread men.
11. Then, place each cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
12. Bake for about 10 minutes in the oven.
13. Allow it to cool for 30 minutes and decorate as desired.

Wintertime Baking Recipe #2: Peppermint Brownies

Brownies already hit the spot on a chilly winter night, especially when they’ve just come out of the oven.  The inclusion of peppermint gives these brownies a seasonal twist that makes them extra special.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup CBD butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Getting to Work:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line an 8x12 baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Into a small saucepan, place your CBD butter, and allow it to melt at a low temperature, making sure it doesn’t boil.
4. Pour the butter into a bowl, and then add the sugar.
5. Whisk until smooth and fluffy, before adding the vanilla and peppermint.
6. Next, whisk one egg in at a time.
7. Into the same bowl, sift the salt, cocoa powder and flour, and whisk until smooth.
8. Pour the batter into your baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Wintertime Baking Recipe #3: Cranberry Muffins

We cannot get enough of cranberries during the winter season, as they’re the designated berry of the cold weather.  These cranberry muffins highlight that flavor against a fluffy, moist cake-like base.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup CBD butter, softened at room temperature
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy-free if you prefer)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen, thawed cranberries

Getting to Work:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. Into a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar with a beater until fluffy.
4. Add the egg, followed by the vanilla, whisking until smooth.
5. Slowly sift in the flour, whisking it carefully so it doesn’t become lumpy.
6. Add salt and baking powder.
7. Whisk the milk in until the batter is smooth, and then gently fold in the cranberries with a wooden spoon or a spatula.
8. Fill each muffin holder about 2/3 with batter.
9. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick placed into a muffin comes out clean.

Wintertime Baking Recipe #4: Hot Chocolate Cookies

Hot chocolate is a wintertime essential, and this cookie recipe allows you to savor that delicious flavor in a whole new way.  Made with the same ingredients in the classic beverage, it’s sure to be a hit on a cold day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup CBD butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups store-bought hot cocoa mix
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Getting to Work:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Beat together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, while beating, followed by the vanilla.
5. In another mixing bowl, combine the flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
6. Slowly beat these ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
7. Then, fold in the marshmallows.
8. Place about 2 tbsp of dough at a time onto your baking sheet.
9. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are turning golden-brown.

Wintertime Baking Recipe #5: Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is a popular dessert primarily made from baked apples topped with a crisp and crunchy layer.  The dessert is known for its delightful contrast between the soft, sweet, and slightly tart flavor of the cooked apples and the rich, buttery, and crispy topping.  It's often served warm, sometimes accompanied by ice cream or whipped cream, making it a comforting treat especially popular in the fall and winter months, or whenever apples are in season.

Ingredients:

• 6 apples of your choice, peeled and chopped coarsely
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup CBD butter, chilled and cut into cubes
• ½ tsp salt

Getting to Work:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter an 8x8 baking dish.
3. Combine the apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice in a bowl.
4. Stir them together, and then pour them into your baking dish.
5. In another mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
6. Use your fingers to break apart the butter until you get pea-sized crumbs.
7. Spread the crisp topping over the apples, and place into the oven.
8. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown.