A Very Northstar December: How to Make Your Own Cannabis-Infused Holiday Treats

When winter settles over West Yellowstone and the holidays roll in, nothing hits the soul quite like comfort food. And for many adults, cannabis-infused treats add a little extra cheer to the season. Whether you are baking for cozy nights in, creating gifts for your cannabis-loving friends, or just wanting to experiment in the kitchen, December is the perfect time to try making your own infused holiday sweets.

Here's a simple guide to creating delicious cannabis-infused treats at home — winter flavors included.

Start With the Basics: Cannabutter or Cannabis Oil

Most infused holiday treats start with one of two things:

• Cannabutter – perfect for cookies, brownies, bars, and pastries

• Cannabis-infused oil – great for chocolates, candies, and stovetop recipes

If you've never made them before, the process is straightforward:

To make cannabutter:

1. Decarb your cannabis (heat at about 240°F for 30–40 minutes).

2. Melt butter on low heat.

3. Add ground, decarbed flower.

4. Simmer gently (never boil) for 2–3 hours.

5. Strain and cool.

To make infused oil:

Same process as above, swap butter for coconut oil, olive oil, or MCT oil. Once you have your infusion, you can add it to almost any holiday recipe.

Elevated Peppermint Bark

A December classic.

 All you need is:

• Melted chocolate

 • Crushed candy canes

 • A swirl of infused coconut oil

Spread on a baking sheet, chill until firm, break into shards, and enjoy your minty masterpiece.

Cannabis Hot Cocoa Bombs

These are a winter showstopper and surprisingly easy to make.

Fill chocolate spheres with:

• Mini marshmallows

 • Cocoa mix

 • A spoonful of infused oil or infused chocolate

Seal, drizzle with extra chocolate, add sprinkles, and drop one into a mug of warm milk when you're ready for some holiday magic.

Gingerbread With a Twist

Gingerbread cookies or bars pair perfectly with cannabutter because the warm spices complement the herbaceous notes of cannabis.

Replace part (not all) of the butter in your recipe with cannabutter to maintain a balanced potency.

Infused Sugar Cookies

Simple. Sweet. Foolproof.

Mix your infused butter evenly into the dough, bake as usual, and decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint. They're festive, nostalgic, and great for gifting to your favorite adults.

Tips for Perfect Holiday Edibles

• Start with low potency if gifting — not everyone is a seasoned pro.

 • Mix your cannabutter thoroughly to avoid "hot spots."

 • Label everything. Seriously. Label.

 • Store in airtight containers away from pets and kids.

 • Start low, go slow — even if the cookies taste amazing.

Bring a Little Extra Warmth to Winter

Making cannabis-infused treats is fun, creative, and surprisingly approachable. Whether it's peppermint bark on a snowed-in night, gingerbread after a long workweek, or a cozy hot cocoa bomb by the fireplace, infused holiday sweets are a delightful way to unwind and add a touch of relaxation to the season.

If you need flower or concentrates for your homemade infusions, stop into Northstar — we're always happy to help you choose the right strain for your winter creations.

And most importantly: enjoy your treats responsibly, share with care, and have a warm, bright December.