Cannabis-Infused "Irish Brown Sugar Shortbread" St. Patrick's Day Cookie with Infused Irish Butter

Cannabis-Infused "Irish Brown Sugar Shortbread" St. Patrick's Day Cookie with Infused Irish Butter

A Note on Dosing: This recipe makes approximately 24 shortbread wedges or fingers. We calculate based on a 15% THC flower. You must calculate your own dose based on your cannabis potency. Package in 2-cookie portions for consistent 10-12mg servings.

Approximate Dose (using 1.5g of 15% THC flower): ~55mg THC total (infused into the Irish butter). ~10-12mg per 2-cookie serving (or ~4.5-5.5mg per individual cookie). Package in 2-cookie portions for consistent dosing.

Alternative Dosing: Use 1g for ~7-8mg per 2-cookie serving, or 2g for ~14-16mg per 2-cookie serving.

Terpene Pairing Suggestion: Choose a Myrcene and Caryophyllene-dominant strain. Myrcene's earthy sweetness will complement the rich brown sugar and butter, while Caryophyllene's peppery warmth will enhance the vanilla and delicate salt finish. This combination creates a comforting, grounding experience perfect for St. Patrick's Day .

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The Irish Shortbread Story

Shortbread originated in Scotland centuries ago and has since become a beloved treat throughout the British Isles and Ireland . The name comes from the "short" texture created by the high proportion of butter to flour—a result of the fat shortening the gluten strands .

Traditional shortbread is made with just three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour . The simplicity means quality matters—good butter makes all the difference . In Ireland, shortbread is often enjoyed with tea and has become a St. Patrick's Day favorite .

This version uses cannabis-infused Irish butter and brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor than traditional white sugar shortbread . The result is a rich, buttery cookie with a hint of molasses and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture .

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Step 1: The Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter

Ingredients:

· 1.5 grams cannabis flower (Myrcene/Caryophyllene dominant)
· 1 cup (2 sticks) Irish butter (Kerrygold recommended)
· Pinch of sea salt

Decarboxylation Method:

1. Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C).
2. Finely grind cannabis flower and spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool completely.

Infusion Method:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over the lowest possible heat.
2. Add the decarboxylated cannabis. Steep for 2 hours, maintaining temperature below 180°F (82°C). Do not simmer.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl. Press gently. Discard solids.
4. Stir in a pinch of sea salt.
5. Refrigerate until solid but still soft enough to cream. This is your Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter. It will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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Step 2: The Irish Brown Sugar Shortbread Assembly

For the Shortbread:

· 1 cup (2 sticks) of your Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter, softened
· 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark—dark gives deeper flavor)
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1/4 cup cornstarch (for that melt-in-your-mouth texture)
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· Turbinado or demerara sugar, for sprinkling

Equipment:

· 9-inch round cake pan or shortbread mold (or 9x9-inch square pan for fingers)
· Parchment paper
· Electric mixer or stand mixer
· Large mixing bowl
· Fork or dock roller
· Wire cooling rack

Method:

1. Prepare the Pan:

· Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) .
· Line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, or grease lightly if using a shortbread mold .

2. Cream Butter and Sugar:

· In a large bowl, beat the softened Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes .
· Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes . The mixture should be pale and well combined .

3. Add Dry Ingredients:

· In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt .
· Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined . Do not overmix—the dough should come together but not be worked too much .

4. Press into Pan:

· Transfer the dough to the prepared pan.
· Using your hands or a spatula, press the dough firmly and evenly into the pan . Shortbread is pressed, not rolled, for the best texture .
· For round shortbread, use a fork to crimp the edges decoratively .
· Prick the entire surface with a fork (this is called "docking") to prevent air bubbles .

5. Score (Optional):

· If making wedges, score the dough into 12 or 24 portions using a sharp knife . Don't cut all the way through—just score the surface .
· Sprinkle generously with turbinado or demerara sugar .

6. Bake:

· Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden and the center is set . Shortbread should not brown much—it should remain pale .
· The top will feel firm to the touch when done .

7. Cut While Warm:

· Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes .
· If you scored the dough, cut all the way through along the scored lines while still warm . This ensures clean edges .
· If making fingers, cut into 24 rectangles (about 1x3 inches) .

8. Cool Completely:

· Transfer the shortbread pieces to a wire rack to cool completely . They will firm up as they cool .

9. Package for Dosing:

· Package in portions of 2 cookies (approximately 10-12mg THC per package) .
· Store in an airtight container with parchment between layers .

10. Store and Serve:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week .
- Each 2-cookie serving contains approximately 10-12mg THC (based on 1.5g total flower).

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The Brown Sugar Difference

Using brown sugar instead of white sugar transforms traditional shortbread:

Flavor: Brown sugar adds molasses notes that complement the butter beautifully, creating a deeper, more complex flavor .

Texture: Brown sugar has slightly more moisture than white sugar, resulting in an even tenderer shortbread .

Color: The cookies bake to a lovely golden color without the risk of over-browning .

Caramel Notes: As the shortbread bakes, the brown sugar creates subtle caramel undertones .

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Shortbread Shapes and Traditions

Shortbread can be shaped in several traditional ways:

Petticoat Tails: The classic round shortbread, cut into wedges . The name may come from the French "petites gatelles" (little cakes) or from the shape resembling petticoats .

Fingers: Rectangular pieces, perfect for dipping in tea .

Shortbread Rounds: Individual cookies cut with a round cutter .

Molded Shortbread: Pressed into decorative wooden molds with Celtic designs .

For St. Patrick's Day, consider using a shamrock-shaped mold or cutter .

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Shortbread Variations

Once you've mastered the classic, try these Irish-inspired twists:

Irish Whiskey Shortbread:

· Add 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey to the butter mixture
· Reduce vanilla slightly

Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread:

· Dip cooled shortbread in melted dark chocolate
· Sprinkle with gold dust

Lemon Irish Shortbread:

· Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1 teaspoon lemon extract
· Drizzle with white chocolate

Oatmeal Shortbread:

· Replace 1/2 cup flour with rolled oats
· Add 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted nuts

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Pro Tips for Perfect Shortbread

Quality Butter Matters:

Shortbread is only as good as its butter. Use high-quality Irish butter for the best flavor .

Don't Overwork the Dough:

Overmixing develops gluten, which makes shortbread tough instead of tender .

Press, Don't Roll:

Traditional shortbread is pressed into the pan, not rolled out, for the best texture .

Dock Properly:

Pricking the surface with a fork allows steam to escape and prevents bubbles .

Cut While Warm:

Cutting while the shortbread is still warm ensures clean edges and prevents crumbling .

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Packaging for Perfect Dosing

Since each cookie is about 4.5-5.5mg THC, packaging in 2-cookie portions ensures consistent dosing:

2-Cookie Package: ~10-12mg THC — perfect for sharing or a full session

1-Cookie Package: ~5-6mg THC — ideal for a lighter experience

4-Cookie Package: ~20-24mg THC — for experienced consumers

Include a label on each package with:

· "CANNABIS-INFUSED IRISH BROWN SUGAR SHORTBREAD"
· THC content per package (e.g., "~10-12mg per 2-cookie serving")
· Date made
· "Start with one cookie and wait 90 minutes"

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Safety, Dosing & Storage

CRITICAL NOTES:

⚠️ DOSING INFORMATION: This recipe contains approximately 55mg THC total (infused into the Irish butter). When cut into 24 cookies, each cookie is ~4.5-5.5mg THC. Package in 2-cookie portions for 10-12mg THC per serving .
⚠️ THE BUTTER IS THE VEHICLE: All the cannabis is in the Irish butter used for the shortbread. Every cookie contains a consistent amount .
⚠️ CLEAR LABELING IS ESSENTIAL: Mark each package "CANNABIS-INFUSED - 10-12mg THC per 2-cookie serving." Include the date .
⚠️ ADJUST YOUR DOSE: For 7-8mg per 2-cookie serving, use 1g total flower. For 14-16mg per 2-cookie serving, use 2g .
⚠️ CHILD SAFETY: These look like regular shortbread cookies. Store in a clearly labeled container, out of reach .
⚠️ DO NOT DRIVE. Even moderate doses can impair—be safe .

Storage:

· Irish Brown Sugar Shortbread: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
· Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking
· Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container