In states where marijuana is legal, edibles were the top food trend of 2018, according to the Specialty Food Association. States that don’t yet have such legalization are still enjoying increased sales of non-intoxicating CBD foods. In fact, according to Google Trends Year in Search 2018, the term CBD gummies was the third-largest U.S. search in the food category — right behind Unicorn cake and the Romaine lettuce recall.
Beyond gummies, lollipops, chocolate bars, cake pops and even ice cream are among the many different ways that buyers can enjoy their CBD. These days, raw honey and peanut butter can now be found with CBD infusion, which makes it ready to eat as-is or for use in recipes. And not surprisingly, more recipes are popping up online and in publications with tips on how to make your own CBD treats using ingredients you already have in your fridge and pantry.
So why eat your CBD versus other methods such as capsules, tinctures, oils or vaping? Convenience is certainly a major factor, but so is taste. CBD oil may have a strong taste that isn’t easily camouflaged by other flavors. It’s also a simple way to maintain a routine as products such as gummies are easy to take with you.
There may be other benefits as well. According to Stuart Tomc, vice president of human nutrition at CV Sciences, “Ingesting hemp-infused bars allows the cannabinoids to be metabolized by the liver prior to crossing the blood-brain barrier. Bars may have a slower onset. However, the benefits may last much longer.”
Edibles make it simple to get the desired amount of CBD, as they’re sold in different serving sizes and strengths. For anyone who wants to have their cake (or candy) and chill out too, edibles allow just that.
If you prefer homemade to store-bought goodies, try out these recipes from Brooke Alpert, certified nutrition expert and CBD Snapshot’s editor-at-large.
Grain-Free Chocolate Chunk Blondies
Sometimes there is simply nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie. Although these blondies aren’t guilt-free by any means, they come without inflammatory grains, gluten and are infused with CBD. Life’s too short to always skip dessert.
Makes 16 blondies
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup creamy almond butter, no sugar added.
- 1 egg
- 4 servings CBD powder
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9-by-9-inch pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Beat butter, sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until creamy, about two minutes. Add in almond butter and egg, beating well. Add in CBD powder and mix for an additional 30 seconds until combined.
Gradually beat in the almond flour mixture until well combined, do not over mix. Stir in chocolate chunks and pour into pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until set in the center.
Grain-free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Makes 16 muffins
- 1 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/3 cup flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 overripe medium bananas
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup smooth almond butter, unsweetened
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 servings CBD powder
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line muffin pans with paper cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, flaxseed meal, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mash two bananas with a fork or potato masher. Add the eggs, almond butter, honey and vanilla. Mix well.
Stir almond flour mixture into banana mixture and combine. Add chocolate chips and mix again. Using an ice cream scooper, scoop the batter into the muffin cups, filling no more than three-quarters of the cup. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when tested.
