This easy recipe for CBD or THC gummies made with tincture is the perfect recipe for delicious cannabis gummies that are made with an alcohol-based tincture or full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO or RSO, or other cannabis concentrates.
How to Make Cannabis Gummies
With so many different cannabis gummy recipes available on the internet with different instructions and methods, it can get overwhelming when picking the perfect one.
Many people will need to choose a recipe based on what cannabis products they have to work with.
We are focusing on making the perfect cannabis gummies with an alcohol-based cannabis tincture, a QWET tincture, or FECO/RSO or any other type of cannabis concentrate for this recipe.
By following these easy directions, you can create a delicious cannabis gummy that is the perfect texture and consistency, with no separation or sweating.
It is important to note that gummy taste and texture preferences are subjective, and for this reason, I recommend you try this recipe with *non* cannabis-infused products first.
That way, you know if you like the taste and texture of the recipe before incorporating your hard-earned cannabis products.
If you don't have cannabis tincture, a QWET tincture, FECO/RSO, or other cannabis concentrates available or are looking for a gummy alternative, we also have these different gummy recipes available:
- Healthy Cannabis Gummy Recipe Made With Concentrates
- Cannabis Gummy Recipe Made with Oil (Coconut, MCT, Butter, etc)
Looking For More Support?
Join over 25,000 members inside the Well With Cannabis Facebook Community to ask questions and share your edible creations!
Gummies Made with Alcohol-Based Tincture
A favorite option for making these gummies is to use a cannabis-infused alcohol tincture or a QWET cannabis tincture.
Using tincture for your infusion will result in a more clear gummy that is less dense and more 'jiggly' than a gummy infused with traditional coconut oil.
Making a cannabis tincture is fairly straightforward and requires just decarbed cannabis flowers and high-proof food-grade gain alcohol.
If you haven't made a cannabis tincture yet, click here for traditional tincture instructions or here for QWET tincture instructions.
You will need to have this ready before starting the gummy making process.
The gummy cooking process itself will evaporate off the alcohol in your tincture, leaving you with FECO or full-extract cannabis oil.
Gummies Made with FECO or RSO
Full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO or RSO, is the tincture mentioned above that has had all of the alcohol already evaporated off.
Yes, you can safely evaporate the alcohol off of an alcohol tincture to make full-extract cannabis oil.
This is what we will be using to make these gummies.
It does not matter if you start this process with a tincture or FECO.
Just remember that already made FECO is more concentrated and potent than a cannabis tincture that still contains the alcohol.
Gummies Made with Cannabis Concentrates
Just like FECO or RSO is a cannabis concentrate, there are many other types of cannabis concentrates on the market today.
From distillate or CO2 oil to shatter or wax, all can be used in place of FECO for this recipe.
You will want to ensure that your cannabis concentrate is decarbed first, if needed.
If you're unsure, you can first checkout my cooking with cannabis concentrate guide here.
How much you will add is up to you and your personal taste preferences.
1mL or 1 gram is a good place to start.
Required & Optional Ingredients
- Cannabis tincture, QWET tincture, or FECO/RSO - required
- Flavored Jello - any flavor of choice - required
- Unflavored gelatin - required
- Lecithin - optional
- Super-strength flavoring oils - optional
Required: Cannabis Tincture or FECO
We discussed how you could use either a cannabis tincture or FECO/RSO in this recipe; now it's just time for you to pick your preference.
How much FECO/RSO to use?
You can add as much or as little FECO or RSO as you’d like depending on your tolerance and preferences.
Remember, FECO/RSO can be very potent; even just 1mL may be a lot to start with, so be sure to taste-test carefully and slowly.
If you want them super strong, you can add more, up to 5mL.
The mL volume is so small it doesn’t make a difference in the recipe's texture.
Required: Flavored Jello
Fun Fact: I grew up 35 minutes from the home of the original Jello factory, which today stands as a Jello museum (that I still have never visited).
Jello is a simple gelatin dessert mix that can be found at any grocery store.
Each box comes in a variety of different flavors ranging from lemon, lime, orange, grape, raspberry, black cherry, and more.
In this recipe, Jello is included to add color, taste, and sweetness to the gummies.
This recipe does not work without the addition of Jello.
Note that Jello typically comes in two different package sizes, a 3-ounce and 6-ounce package.
For this recipe we will be using one 3-ounce package of Jello.
Required: Unflavored Gelatin
Unflavored gelatin may be a new ingredient for some cooks but have no fear; it's a simple ingredient to work with.
It can easily be found in the baking section of your local grocery store or purchased on Amazon.
Gelatin is a colorless, flavorless, protein-based ingredient that helps to create the gummy texture we are looking for in this recipe.
This recipe will not work without the addition of unflavored gelatin.
For this recipe, we will be using ¾ ounces of gelatin, equivalent to 3 Knox packs.
Optional: Lecithin
Lecithin may be a new ingredient you're not used to cooking with, but it is an important staple ingredient for any cannabis kitchen.
Traditionally, lecithin is used as a binder to keep opposing ingredients together in recipes, like oil & vinegar in salad dressings.
Liquid lecithin is thick and sticky like molasses, but it is nearly tasteless.
It can also come in liquid or granulated, or powdered form, which is fine to use in this recipe.
For cannabis cooking, we prefer to use liquid sunflower lecithin.
In this recipe, the liquid lecithin helps to keep the FECO bound to the liquid ingredients - without separating.
If you skip this ingredient's addition, your gummy's may have some separation and leave an oily feel on the outside of the gummy.
Optional: Flavoring Oils
The Jello packet itself provides this recipe both color and flavor.
For some people, that may be enough to mask the cannabis taste.
For those who want the extra flavor boost to help cover the taste of the cannabis in the gummies, these super-strength flavoring oils are the perfect addition.
Available in a wide variety of flavors, these oils can help mask the cannabis taste and make the flavor of your gummies really pop.
This ingredient is optional, but we highly recommend them.
Required and Helpful Kitchen Items
- Small Sauce Pan
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Double Boiler
- Whisk
- Funnel
- Squeeze Bottle
- Baking Sheets
- Gummy Bear Molds
- Cannabis Leaf Gummy Molds
Frequently Asked Cannabis Gummy Questions
Below are answers to some of the most important frequently asked cannabis gummy questions from my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community that have not been addressed above.
How Should I Store These Cannabis Gummies?
Once removed from the gummy molds, you can choose to either air-dry these gummies or simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
How To Air Dry Cannabis Gummies
If you want to enjoy the gummies right away, they do not need to dry out on the counter or in a dehydrator.
However, many people prefer to air dry them for enhanced texture and less moisture.
To successfully air dry or cure the cannabis gummies, you first need to remove them from the molds.
Once free from the molds, you can place them on a wire cooling rack, parchment paper, or a clean tea towel.
Allow these gummies to dry at room temperature or uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
Many people will drape a piece of cheesecloth over the gummies to prevent any contaminants from getting on them.
If you do this, ensure you are using a breathable fabric.
If you have a food dehydrator available, you can place the gummies in it to speed up the process.
Note: If you use a food dehydrator to dry your gummies, you must ensure it does not use heat.
Any low temperature dehydrators (~90°) will cause your gummies to melt.
Finally, some people prefer to lightly dust their air-dried gummies with a small amount of cornstarch to remove any last bits of moisture.
Can You Freeze These Cannabis Gummies?
If you don't plan on air drying or consuming your gummies within two weeks, you can easily freeze them.
Freezing gummies does not alter the potency of the gummies, and in fact, may even help preserve potency over time.
Can You Make Cannabis Gummies with Sugar-Free Jello?
Yes! We made these gummies with sugar-free Jello and they turned out just fine.
Simply swap a 0.6oz packet of sugar-free jello for the traditional 3 ounce packet of regular jello.
Can I Toss These Gummies in Sugar?
Yes, but only after they have been cured, or air dried for at least 24-hours.
If you try to coat them in sugar before air drying, they will melt and turn into a wet soupy mess.
How to Determine The Dosing
Want to calculate the dosage of your cannabis edibles and homemade cannabis recipes?
While a calculator is no replacement for lab testing, this tool has been designed to help you get a more accurate guesstimate of the potency of your cannabis infusions and extractions.
Unlike other calculators available online, this calculator aims to provide more accuracy by accounting for the losses associated with decarboxylation, infusion oils, or extraction solvents used.
Enhance Your Cannabis Education
My beginner-friendly Cannabis Compass Online Course will show you how to dose, use, and apply cannabis safely and effectively so that you can begin to manage your most unwanted symptoms the natural way from the comfort of your own home.
Learn more and enroll today →
Cannabis Gummies Made with Tincture or FECO/RSO
Ingredients
- ½ cup cannabis alcohol tincture or 1mL FECO/RSO/cannabis concentrate
- ½ teaspoon liquid sunflower lecithin
- 1 cup water or juice divided
- ¾ ounce unflavored gelatin 3 Knox packs
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 ounces 1 small box of flavored Jello
- Super-strength flavoring oils optional
Instructions
- Fill the bottom portion of the double boiler with 1 cup of water. Place on the stove and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, turn the heat off.
- Away from the stove or open flame, add the tincture to the top portion of the double boiler. Place the top insert over the bottom pan.
- Carefully and slowly turn the stove back on to medium heat and allow at least 75% of the alcohol to evaporate from the tincture, stirring occasionally. The tincture will significantly reduce in volume, leaving a sticky black oil.
- Whisk in the lecithin. Turn off the heat and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, add ½ cup of water or juice. Gently whisk the unflavored gelatin into the liquid until it is well incorporated. The mixture will become very thick. Set aside to bloom.
- In a separate small saucepan on the stove, bring the remaining ½ cup of water or juice to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the lemon juice and the flavored Jello packet to the hot liquid. Mix well to dissolve.
- Carefully and slowly pour the jello mix into the double boiler with the reduced tincture/FECO and lecithin while whisking consistently until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Add the bloomed gelatin to the double boiler. If using flavoring oils, add your desired amount here.
- Return the double boiler to low heat. Whisk the mixture consistently for 5 minutes, ensuring no clumps form. Turn off the heat. This step is essential!
- Using a squeeze bottle or pipette, add the gummy mixture to your gummy molds of choice.
- Allow the filled molds to set for at least 30 minutes before removing the gummies from the molds.
- Leave the gummies to air dry for 24 hours, or store the gummies in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
- Run a Test Batch First: As always, I recommend you make one *non-infused* test batch of gummies before trying with your actual product to ensure you like the taste, consistency, and process.
- Be Careful: Take extreme caution if you are using a gas stove when evaporating the alcohol from a tincture as the fumes are flammable. Ensure proper ventilation and common-sense safety measures are in place.
- Using Other Concentrates: If you are using cannabis concentrates instead of FECO/RSO, check this guide first to see if the concentrate needs to be decarbed.
- Mold Inhibitors: In this recipe, I've used lemon juice as a natural preservative and mold inhibitor. It does not lend a strong or noticeable flavor to the gummies. You can also use LorAnn Mold Inhibitor or potassium sorbate in place of the lemon juice.
- Lecithin Options: Yes, you can use powdered lecithin in place of the liquid lecithin in the exact same amount. If your infused oil has sunflower lecithin, you should still add the 2 teaspoons of lecithin called for in this recipe.
- A Word of Caution When Air Drying: Humidity will cause an issue of oil sweating if you are air-drying your gummies, especially if they are made with MCT oil. If it is humid where you live, you must air dry your gummies in the refrigerator where the temperature and humidity are better controlled. If you use a food dehydrator to dry your gummies, you must ensure it does not use heat. Any low-temperature dehydrators (~90°) will cause your gummies to melt.