The Best CBD Recipes: Desserts and Drinks

If you love to spend time in the kitchen, learning how to modify your favorite recipes can be an inspiring experience. As you develop your culinary portfolio, you'll learn how to blend flavors and ingredients to give your tastebuds a new experience each time. One ingredient, in particular, focuses on the physical journey of eating and drinking in addition to the taste: cannabis.

Cannabinoid compounds in cannabis, including cannabidiol (more commonly known as CBD), have already been well-documented to help those suffering from anxiety, stress, sleep deficiencies, and a variety of other health conditions. This oil has also become part of the culinary world, including savory snacks, main dishes, sides, drinks, and desserts.

Why Use CBD in Desserts and Drinks?

CBD can be a fantastic cannabinoid to add to your favorite recipes; in other words, if CBD is the driver, the food and drink you mix it with is the vehicle. Adding CBD to your favorite desserts and drinks allows you to be in control of your experience and indulge in delicious taste sensations all at the same time.

Best of all, the positive effects of CBD are available without the pitfalls of many other relaxants. For example, while many people may turn to alcohol for relief from a stressful week at work, adding CBD to your favorite mocktail can help you avoid the hangover while still finding relief. Since many people love to indulge in desserts after dinner, it can be a great way to relax the body while treating yourself in a safe way.

Other reasons to consider adding CBD to your drinks and desserts include if you need the following:

• Reduce anxiety and stress - As discussed, CBD is popular for reducing anxiety and stress. High-CBD concentrates are ideal for addressing these mental health symptoms.
• Pain and inflammation - Studies have shown CBD is effective as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic. It also might help people living with chronic pain in the way that it relieves anxiety.
• Improved taste - Some people dislike the taste of solo CBD concentrates. However, spicing up your favorite foods and drinks with CBD can not only mask the taste but bring new enjoyment to old favorites.
• A product that's easy to use - Because CBD is available in liquid form, both fat-soluble and water-soluble, it can be easily combined into a variety of foods and beverages. You can make it even simpler by using it as a topper after the final product is created.

Types of CBD to Use in Foods and Drinks

If you decide that you want to start incorporating CBD into your foods and drinks, it's crucial to pick the right one. While tinctures are typically the simplest way to add CBD to a recipe, you’ll need to consider the recipe to choose the right tincture.

In most cases, oil-based tinctures are more accessible and incorporate well into recipes with other fats like butter, dairy, and chocolate, but they will not mix well with water-based foods and beverages. Alcohol-based tinctures are often more suitable for beverages.

Choosing the right CBD and following the right tips for making edibles will help you create the perfect treats.

CBD Dessert Recipes

Now that you’ve chosen your CBD product, it’s time to begin incorporating CBD into your favorite sweet treats. In most cases, you can simply add your CBD tincture to your fatty carrier..

Here are some of our favorite CBD desserts:

CBD Chocolate Coconut Cookie Bars

---

Prep Time: 50 minutesYield 15-20 servings

You’ll Need:

• ¼ c butter
• 2 T CBD oil, or your preferred dose
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs
• 1 c graham cracker chunks
• 1 c dark chocolate chips (⅛ c as a topper for later)
• 1 c walnuts (chopped)
• 1 c coconut flakes ( ¼ c sprinkled on top)
• ½ c caramel chips
• 1 can condensed milk, sweetened (14 oz)
• Nonstick cooking spray

---

Directions:

1. Start by preheating the oven to 325°F, and coat an 11x7 inch baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then transfer to a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the CBD oil. Add the graham cracker crumbs and stir together
3. Put the mixture in the pan and top with the graham cracker chunks. Press the mixture down with a fork
4. Pour the condensed milk over the mixture on the pan and use a spoon to ensure it is spread evenly
5. Add a layer of chocolate chips, reserving ⅛ c for later
6. Add a thin layer of walnuts, caramel chips, and coconut flakes. Continue layering, reserving ¼ c of coconut flakes
7. After layering, press down on all the ingredients with a fork. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes
8. Remove from the oven and top with remaining chocolate chips and coconut. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes
9. Remove from the oven, let cool, slice, and enjoy!

CBD Gummies Recipe

---

Prep Time: 45 minutesYield Approximately 15 gummies

Gummies are a popular choice for those who have a sweet tooth but want to enjoy the soothing effects of CBD. The fruit flavors allow you to mask the bitter taste of the CBD. This recipe uses agar agar, a vegan form of gelatin. If you prefer regular gelatin, you can certainly swap the two. Agar agar gives a slightly different texture but offers a great alternative for those that want a plant-based product or want vegan recipes. You’ll Need:

• 1 c fruit juice (choose your favorite!)
• 1 T agar agar powder
• 4 mL CBD oil, or your preferred dose

---

Directions:

1. 1. Dissolve the agar agar in the fruit juice using a whisk until mixed thoroughly
   2. Slowly raise the temperature over medium heat until it gently boils and starts to thicken
   3. Remove from the heat and add the CBD oil, whisking until combined
   4. Quickly pour the mixture into a mold of your choice (move quickly as thickening sets fast) and refrigerate for about 30 minutes
   5. Enjoy!

CBD Chocolate Recipe

---

Prep Time: 1 hourYield Varies, about 1 ½ c

Nothing is better for dessert than the decadence of chocolate. When you find the right recipe, you can create a sweet treat that can be incorporated into a variety of desserts. Here is a look at a CBD chocolate recipe that you can transform over and over again. Best of all, this recipe offers you the chance to control the CBD dosage. You’ll Need:

• 1 c unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 1 c chocolate of your choice, broken into pieces
• ½ c honey
• 1 t vanilla extract
• CBD oil, calculated with your regular dosage (see notes)

---

Directions:

1. To melt the chocolate, use a double boiler. Alternatively, fill a pot with water and use a heat-resistant bowl that will fit over the pot. You should only use enough water to provide heat, not touch the bowl
2. Using low heat, put the butter in the bowl and allow the steam to heat the bowl and melt the butter
3. When half of the butter is melted, add the chocolate to the bowl and continue stirring to prevent burning
4. Once combined, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool but not harden
5. When cooled, add honey, vanilla extract, and CBD and mix thoroughly
6. Pour into a pan or molds and even out with a spatula
7. Refrigerate or freeze until solid, cut into pieces, and enjoy

Notes: When measuring your dosage of CBD, decide how many pieces you want to cut your chocolate into. Consider the amount of CBD you will use, assume there will be one dose in each piece, and calculate the total amount of CBD you should incorporate based on how many pieces you hope to yield.

CBD Mocktail Recipes

If this is your first time mixing CBD into a drink, or if you are looking for the effects of CBD, we recommend skipping the alcohol. CBD offers a great alternative for relaxation without a hangover.

Here are a few great summer-time CBD drink recipes:

CBD Virgin Bloody Mary

---

Prep Time: 15 minutesYield 1 drink

Nothing goes better with the weekend than brunch, particularly at home. But when you want all the brunch vibes without the headache later, try a virgin bloody mary infused with CBD. You’ll Need:

• 1 oz, or desired dose of CBD tincture
• 4 oz of tomato juice
• 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ oz of lemon juice
• A pinch of salt (smoked works great!)
• A pinch of pepper (coarse for an extra kick)
• A pinch of celery salt
• Favorite garnishes (we suggest celery, olives, lemon wedges, cocktail onions, and even bacon!)

---

Directions:

1. Combine the juices, Worcestershire sauce, salts, and pepper in a shaker with ice and shake briefly Strain into a clean glass with fresh ice
2. Top with CBD
3. Stir, add garnish, serve, and enjoy!

CBD Colada

---

Prep Time: 15 minutesYield 1 drink

Summertime is a great opportunity to step outside and enjoy the sunshine. Nothing goes better with sunshine than a cold pina colada. This summer, try this CBD Colada. Yield: 1 drink

• 1 ½ oz water
• ½ t almond extract
• 1 oz coconut cream
• ¾ oz lime juice
• 5-6 blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries (whichever you prefer)
• ¾ oz CBD-infused simple syrup

---

Directions:

1. Smash the fruit in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with the simple syrup
2. Add the first four ingredients to the shaker
3. Shake everything together to combine
4. Strain into a glass over crushed ice
5. Serve and enjoy!

Notes: CBD simple syrup is made by combining CBD tincture with equal parts water and sugar and heated to allow the sugar to dissolve in the water. Do not boil, as it will impact the effects of the CBD.

Your Main Ingredient Awaits at Zen Leaf Dispensary

CBD-infused desserts and drinks are a great way to find tasty relief for ailments such as anxiety, stress, and pain relief. When choosing the right CBD for your favorite recipes, stop by Zen Leaf and let our professional and knowledgeable staff help you find the right ingredient.

Search for a Zen Leaf location near you to get started on your CBD cooking journey!