At Black Tie CBD, we know that one of the best things about cannabis is its versatility. From smoking premium flower to savoring infused edibles, there are countless ways to enjoy its benefits. One of the most classic and beloved methods is Cannabutter—a rich, THC-infused butter that can be used in brownies, cookies, sauces, and countless other recipes.
While most people think you need top-shelf buds to make high-quality cannabutter, the truth is that THCA Flower Trim/Shake is an excellent and cost-effective alternative. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, starting with what trim/shake really is and why it’s perfect for cannabis cooking.
What Is Cannabis Trim/Shake?
When cultivators harvest cannabis, they trim away parts of the plant to enhance the look, potency, and smokability of the buds. These trimmings, also known as trim or shake, aren’t just leftovers—they’re packed with cannabinoids, terpenes, and potential.
There are two main types of trim:
· Sugar Leaves: Small leaves growing out of the buds. These are coated with trichomes, making them rich in THCA and perfect for extractions or edibles.
· Fan Leaves: Larger leaves extending from the branches. While they contain fewer trichomes, they still carry some cannabinoids and can be used in lower-potency edibles.
At Black Tie CBD, our THCA Flower Trim/Shake comes from high-quality indoor and light-dep grown strains. These trimmings often include bud fragments, sugar leaves, and crystals that provide excellent potency when used in cooking. Best of all, trim/shake offers incredible value—making it the go-to choice for anyone looking to create cannabis-infused recipes without overspending.
If you want to explore more creative ways of turning trim into edibles, Black Tie CBD has detailed guides on maximizing every part of the plant.
Why Cannabutter?
Cannabutter is the foundation of countless cannabis edibles. By infusing butter with THCA trim/shake, you create a versatile ingredient that blends seamlessly into everyday recipes. From sweet treats like brownies and blondies to savory dishes like pasta sauces, cannabutter opens the door to a world of creativity.
More importantly, butter is fat-rich, and THC is fat-soluble. This means cannabinoids bind efficiently to butter during infusion, ensuring maximum potency in the final product.
The Importance of Decarboxylation
Before infusing cannabis into butter, you must go through a crucial step: decarboxylation. Raw cannabis contains THCA, a non-psychoactive compound. When heated, THCA converts into THC—the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’s well-known effects.
If you skip decarboxylation, your cannabutter won’t deliver the full potency you expect. Not only that, but improper preparation can introduce moisture that encourages bacterial growth, making the product unsafe.
Here’s how to decarb your Black Tie CBD THCA Trim/Shake:
1. Preheat your oven to 235°F (120°C).
2. Spread your trim evenly across a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally for even heating.
4. Let it cool. Your trim is now activated and ready for infusion.
This simple step transforms inactive THCA into active THC, ensuring your cannabutter has the desired effects—whether you’re looking for relaxation, euphoria, or creative energy. To dive deeper into the science, read our article on what is decarboxylation and how heat activates THCA into Delta-9 THC.
Why THCA Trim/Shake Is Perfect for Cannabutter
Using premium buds for edibles can feel wasteful—especially when those top-shelf flowers shine brightest when smoked or vaped. That’s why trim/shake is a smart choice:
· Cost-Effective: Lower price point while still delivering potency.
· Potent Enough for Edibles: Sugar leaves and bud fragments are trichome-rich.
· Flavor-Friendly: While trim adds a greener, more herbal flavor compared to flower, this can work beautifully in rich recipes like brownies or fudge.
· Sustainable: Makes use of every part of the plant, reducing waste.
At Black Tie CBD, our THCA Flower Trim/Shake lineup includes strains like Blockberry, Gas Face, Nerd Runtz, Red Slushy, Uncle Snoop, Blue Dream, and Durban Poison. Each offers its own unique cannabinoid and terpene profile, letting you tailor your cannabutter to the flavor and effect you prefer.
Not sure about other uses? Check out our guide on how to use THCA flower for smoking, vaping, and decarbing tips.
Step-by-Step Cannabutter Recipe with THCA Trim/Shake
Now that you understand the importance of decarboxylation and why THCA trim/shake is such a valuable resource, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking. Making cannabutter is easier than you might think, and once you master this process, you’ll have the foundation to create all kinds of cannabis-infused recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To keep things simple, you only need a few key ingredients and tools to make your cannabutter:
· 1 cup (about 7–10 grams) of decarboxylated THCA Trim/Shake from Black Tie CBD
· 1 cup of unsalted butter (grass-fed is ideal for richer flavor)
· 1 cup of water (helps regulate heat during infusion)
That’s it! With these three items, you can make a batch of potent cannabutter ready to be added to baked goods, sauces, and more.
Equipment Checklist
· Medium saucepan or small crockpot
· Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
· Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
· Glass storage jar (Mason jar preferred)
· Parchment paper and baking sheet (for decarboxylation)
Having the right tools ensures your butter is infused evenly and filtered properly, leaving behind smooth, flavorful cannabutter.
Step 1: Decarboxylation (Recap)
As explained in Part 1, this step is critical. Spread your trim/shake on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 235°F (120°C) for 40 minutes. Stir occasionally for even heating. Once cooled, your cannabis is activated and ready for infusion. For detailed instructions, see our step-by-step guide on how to decarb THCA for potent homemade edibles.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
In your saucepan or crockpot, add 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of water. Heat gently over low heat until the butter is fully melted. The water prevents scorching and helps maintain an even infusion temperature.
Step 3: Add the Decarboxylated Trim/Shake
Once the butter has melted, stir in your decarbed THCA trim/shake. Mix thoroughly to ensure the cannabis is evenly distributed. This is where the magic begins: as the mixture simmers, cannabinoids bind to the fat molecules in the butter.
Step 4: Simmer Slowly
Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat (160–180°F) for 2–3 hours. Stir every 20–30 minutes to prevent sticking or burning.
· Do not let the mixture boil—high heat can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, reducing potency and flavor.
· A slow, gentle infusion ensures maximum cannabinoid extraction.
As the butter simmers, your kitchen will fill with the earthy, herbal aroma of cannabis.
Step 5: Strain the Mixture
After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly. Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over your glass jar, then carefully pour the mixture through to separate the plant material from the infused butter.
· Pro Tip: Avoid squeezing the cheesecloth too hard—it can push chlorophyll and plant particles into the butter, making it bitter.
The strained liquid will look like melted green-golden butter. Don’t worry if it seems watery—that’s the mix of butter and water, which will separate later.
Step 6: Chill and Separate
Cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator for 8–12 hours. As it chills, the cannabutter will solidify on top, separating cleanly from the water underneath. Once firm, gently lift the butter layer out and discard the water.
Step 7: Store Your Cannabutter
Transfer your cannabutter into a fresh airtight jar or container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage. Always label it clearly—especially if you live with others.
Dosing and Potency Tips
One of the most common mistakes when making edibles is not understanding potency. Because Black Tie CBD’s THCA trim/shake comes from potent strains, your cannabutter can be very strong even in small doses.
Here’s a quick way to estimate potency:
· If you used 7 grams of 15% THCA trim, that’s about 1,050mg of THCA total.
· After infusion and conversion, your butter may contain around 800–900mg THC total.
· Divide that by the number of servings (say 20 brownies), and you’ll have roughly 40–45mg THC per serving—a strong dose for most users.
Always start low, especially with homemade edibles. Try a half portion first, wait 90 minutes, and then decide if you need more.
Why Black Tie CBD Trim/Shake Works Best
Unlike random shake from dispensaries, Black Tie’s THCA trim/shake is carefully sourced from premium indoor and light-dep strains. Each batch includes sugar leaves, bud fragments, and trichome-rich material, ensuring potent and flavorful infusions. Plus, all products are third-party lab tested, so you can trust what’s going into your cannabutter.
Cooking with Your Cannabutter – Recipes, Serving Ideas, and Tips
By now, you’ve learned the essentials: what trim/shake is, how to decarboxylate it, and how to transform it into rich, potent cannabutter. Now comes the fun part—actually putting your cannabutter to use. Whether you’re baking classic brownies, experimenting with savory dishes, or simply spreading it on toast, cannabutter opens the door to a new culinary world.
Classic Cannabis Recipes
Here are some tried-and-true favorites that pair perfectly with your freshly made cannabutter:
1. Cannabis Brownies
The most iconic edible of all time. Simply substitute your cannabutter for regular butter in your favorite brownie recipe. The rich chocolate masks the herbal undertones of the trim, creating a decadent treat with powerful effects.
2. Cannabis Cookies
Sugar cookies, chocolate chip, or oatmeal raisin—cookies are another easy way to use cannabutter. They’re portable, discreet, and easy to portion into consistent doses.
3. Cannabis Blondies or Fudge
These buttery, chewy treats highlight the richness of cannabutter beautifully. Blondies allow the herbal flavor to shine a bit more than brownies, giving you that signature cannabis twist.
4. Cannabis Pasta or Sauce
Cannabutter isn’t limited to sweets—it’s also a delicious addition to savory dishes. Melt some into pasta, mashed potatoes, or drizzle over roasted vegetables. Garlic herb cannabis bread is another quick and tasty option.
5. Cannabis Tea or Coffee
Stir a small amount of cannabutter into a hot drink for a soothing, calming beverage. Many users enjoy a cannabis latte or herbal tea for a relaxing nightcap.
Tips for Cooking with Cannabutter
Cooking with cannabis is about more than just tossing cannabutter into a recipe. Here are some pro tips to help you get the most from your infusion:
· Mind the Heat: High cooking temperatures (above 350°F) can degrade cannabinoids. Bake at moderate temps and avoid direct frying with cannabutter.
· Balance Flavors: Trim-based cannabutter has a slightly stronger herbal taste. Pair it with rich or bold flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, or garlic.
· Start Small: Potency can vary. Always test a small portion before sharing edibles with friends.
· Consistency Matters: Stir your cannabutter well before using, so potency is distributed evenly throughout the recipe.
Portion Control and Safe Consumption
The most important rule of edibles is start low and go slow. Unlike smoking or vaping, the effects of edibles take longer to appear—usually 30 to 90 minutes—but can last 4 to 8 hours.
For new users:
· Start with a 5–10mg serving.
· Wait at least 90 minutes before consuming more.
For experienced users:
· You may enjoy 20–50mg servings, depending on tolerance and desired effects.
Because Black Tie CBD’s THCA trim/shake is potent, your cannabutter will likely pack a serious punch. Testing a small piece of a cookie or brownie first is the safest way to gauge strength.
Storing Your Cannabutter
Proper storage ensures your cannabutter stays fresh and effective:
· Refrigerator: Store in an airtight jar for up to 3 weeks.
· Freezer: Cannabutter can be frozen for 6 months or more without losing potency.
· Label Clearly: Always label your jar with the strain used, date made, and potency estimate. This avoids confusion and ensures safe use.
Why Black Tie CBD’s THCA Trim/Shake Is Ideal
Not all cannabis trim is created equal. The difference with Black Tie CBD lies in the quality:
· Premium Indoor & Light-Dep Grown Strains – Ensuring trichome-rich material.
· Lab-Tested for Potency & Safety – No guessing about what you’re consuming.
· Affordable and Abundant – A cost-effective way to make potent edibles.
· Diverse Strains Available – From fruity options like Blue Dream to heavy hitters like Durban Poison, giving your cannabutter unique flavors and effects.
This makes Black Tie CBD’s THCA Flower Trim/Shake one of the most versatile and accessible ingredients for cannabis cooking.
Beyond Cannabutter: Expanding Your Culinary Creativity
Once you’ve mastered cannabutter, you can explore other cannabis infusions:
· Canna-Oil: Perfect for recipes that use olive or coconut oil.
· Cannabis Honey: A sweetener for teas, baked goods, or drizzling.
· Cannabis Ghee: Clarified butter that stores longer and blends beautifully in savory recipes.
Each infusion has its own advantages, but they all start with the same foundation—quality cannabis material like Black Tie’s trim/shake.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Kitchen with Cannabutter
Making cannabutter at home with Black Tie CBD’s THCA Trim/Shake is more than just a cooking project—it’s a way to bring cannabis into your everyday life. From brownies that lift your mood to pasta dishes that melt away stress, cannabutter offers endless possibilities.
By following this guide, you now have the knowledge to:
· Decarb your cannabis properly.
· Infuse butter safely and effectively.
· Store and portion your cannabutter for maximum enjoyment.
· Explore recipes that showcase cannabis flavor and effects.
At Black Tie CBD, we believe cannabis should be accessible, enjoyable, and crafted with care. That’s why our trim/shake is sourced from the same premium flower we’re known for—giving you dispensary-level quality at a fraction of the cost.
So the next time you’re ready to elevate your cooking, reach for Black Tie CBD’s THCA Trim/Shake and let your kitchen creativity take flight.
