An Easy CBD Candy Recipe (DIY with Everclear)

*This post was sponsored by Everclear. I’ve used Everclear for years and am so excited to partner with them to share these CBD recipes with you. People of Everclear, thanks for supporting public education and helping spread the word that CBD DIY can be both healthy and easy. I’m extremely grateful for your support of this work 🙏

When I first got together with Everclear to create this series, I knew I wanted to show you how simple it was to turn a simple Everclear CBD tincture ➡ into a versatile CBD infused sugar  ➡ into a DIY CBD candy that you could stash in your purse and pull out at even the swankiest of dinner parties.

But when I started this series, there was no way that I could have known that I’d be transitioning from the arid high desert to the vibrant coastal Pacific Northwest, or that my quiet small-town country life would evolve into city living. For me, this move has meant more opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally.

There’s coworking, networking, humans to invite to workshops, coffee shops with different vibes to write and think in, a whole new world of cannabis, and professional studio space. The change has already been a major uplevel and has breathed new life into Wake + Bake.

Cliche as it is, change is the only constant, and this holds true for Everclear too.

Everclear – once known for fueling wild college parties – has matured. A few months ago, I mentioned this project and Everclear’s new look at a fancy cannabis networking dinner party in Denver. 

Eyebrows raised and there was some awkward laughter followed by the question, ”So… Everclear’s classy now?” 

Indeed, it is. 

Everclear has effectively repositioned itself as a staple DIY ingredient, retaining its strength and usefulness while enhancing its image. 

I’ll admit it. In the past, I would put my Everclear at the back of the pantry, lest someone think I was about to whip up some jungle juice. But now the new bottle stays on my countertop, just in case I need to create a quick tincture, homemade CBD candy recipe, or have the itch to make some DIY glass cleaner.

Over the months working on this project, I’ve noticed something about Everclear’s updated exterior. 

It matters. 

There’s something helpful about it being easy on the eyes. Now that it’s in my view all of the time, I find myself coming up for new uses for it. It’s the same ole Everclear on the inside, but it has elevated my DIY game by being front and center.

When I was taking these photos I couldn’t help but reflect on the similarities between Everclear and my own (long and winding) journey with this blog. From capturing blurry Wake + Bake photos in basements, on dusty farm benches, and front porches to conducting this lovely shoot in a professional studio with a scenic view of my new city—the evolution feels significant.

What started out as a silly edibles cookbook – written at my kitchen table – has turned into an extremely fulfilling career as a Cannabis Educator. 

Over the past 10 years, millions of people have read words on Wake + Bake and tried these recipes. I’m always floored by that fact given the fact I had no idea what I was doing when I started and have made a trillion and a half mistakes along the way. 

While I was taking these photos, it occurred to me that if making things a little prettier and more professional helps more people feel comfortable making their own medicine in the form of CBD edibles recipes, I’m all for it.

But if you’ve been here a long time and are afraid that this will stop being a weird blog written by a weird lady, don’t worry.

Despite the new surroundings, I’m still the same human. I’m still a hot mess home cook/kitchen witch who’s obsessed with ingredients (which is why this CBD infused candy has no corn syrup, artificial flavors, or other nastiness).

I’m still disgusted by the chemicals put in food and on medicine, oddly fascinated by making cannabis and food look good, quietly geeking out and going down endless rabbit holes, and committed to helping you take control of your health by making it easy and fun.

Like Everclear, I’m still the same on the inside. Even this classier shoot had weirdo written all over it.

I even took a weirdo mirror selfie so you would be able to see that I hadn’t transformed into some kind of has-it-together Stepford wife all the sudden (why yes… that is my 7 year old daughter’s t-shirt. Thank you for noticing).

During this shoot, I faced some familiar weirdo-related challenges (read: I burned myself, the little stove kept blowing out, I had to race the clock, and I ran out carrying a completely gooey mess so I could pick up Alice from school on time).

Even so, the whole she-bang turned into this class act 🤩 

Don’t let the Gadsby vibe intimidate you. This CBD hard candy recipe is incredibly simple and quick. If you’ve been following along step by step, you should have some infused CBD sugar on hand and this will take you about 20-30 minutes of hands-on time.

Now, let’s delve into the process of creating hard candy using our CBD infused sugar.

CBD CANDY RECIPE

**Ingredients:**

– 1/2 Cup of CBD Infused Sugar (150 grams)*

– 3 Tablespoons Honey (60 grams)

– 1 Tablespoon Water

– 3/4 Teaspoons Ginger Extract (Adjust to taste)

**Instructions:**

1. Combine the CBD sugar, honey, water and ginger extract in a medium-heat saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.

2. Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it reaches the hard crack stage (around 310°F). A candy thermometer is a useful tool to monitor this.

3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool until the bubbles stop.

 

4. Pour the mixture into candy molds or a greased baking tray. If using a tray, score the candy as it cools to facilitate breaking once it’s solid.

5. Let the candy cool entirely before breaking into pieces or removing from the molds.

6. Toss candies with powdered sugar (optional but highly recommended to reduce stickage).

6. Store in a jar in a cool, dry spot and put them in a fancy candy dish at your next dinner party. 

*Calculating the dosage using dosage math. Use the edibles dosage calculator to find the total cannabinoids in your recipe and then divide by how many pieces you end up with. Make sure to label and keep out of reach of children. 

**The color of your candy will depend on the color of your infused sugar. It’s okay if it’s darker than the photo, but make sure you keep an eye (and nose) on your mixture as it starts to bubble. If it starts to smell like it’s scorching, reduce the heat, but don’t stir the mixture. 

*** Hot tip: Always make a batch without CBD first to get the ratios right and make sure you’ve got the method down. CBD plant material can be expensive, so try it first without and work out any kinks. 

The CBD hard candy making process, like life, can be a mix of surprises and challenges. However, with patience and the right ingredients, the outcome is inevitably sweet. Enjoy the process of creating your ginger-infused CBD hard candy and I’ll see you soon.

With love,

Corinne