This recipe for Snow Ice Cream is a super simple treat to make when you get a fresh snowfall during the winter season. A kid favorite!
A WINTERTIME FAVORITE DESSERT
This particular recipe is pretty special to my husband. He has some pretty fond memories of his Grandpa making it for all the grandkids. Growing up in northern Indiana, he was used to seeing the white stuff a lot during winter. I guess you learn to make the best of something that can easily become a nuisance. But here in our part of Virginia, we don't see it quite that often. So I thought this special event deserved a special and fun recipe.
TIPS FOR MAKING SNOW ICE CREAM:
- We all know the basic rule of snow gathering.- no yellow snow. You want that fresh stuff. The stuff no one has stepped on and you want to get it not too long after the snowfall.
- Depending on the texture of the snow, you may have to add more to get the consistency that you enjoy. If it seems too "watery" that means you need to add more snow.
- Vanilla extract is not absolutely necessary but it really adds a kick of flavor. You can also use mint extract for a twist!
- Don't have sweetened condensed milk? Just use a combination of milk and sugar. You'll have to stir and taste until you get it to the texture and flavor you love! The recipe will basically be the same: 8 cups snow (more or less depending on texture), 1 cup milk, ⅓ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until desired consistency is reached.
- I highly recommend popping the can of sweetened condensed milk in the refrigerator before making snow cream. It keeps everything as cold as possible as you stir it all together!
- Your snow ice cream can be kept in the freezer (in a covered, freezer-safe container) for about a week.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- snow (or shaved ice)
- sweetened condensed milK
- vanilla extract
HOW TO MAKE SNOW ICE CREAM:
First things first, you gotta get the snow. We all know the basic rule of snow gathering. You want that fresh stuff. The snow that no one has stepped on. Once you've had fun gathering up your snow in bowl, add in the sweetened condensed milk. Then add in vanilla extract.
Now give it all a good stir.
Serve immediately and top with sprinkles and dig in!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
Snow Ice Cream (+Video)
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh snow (more may be needed)
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together snow with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
- Stir until well combined. Add more snow if necessary until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately. Top with sprinkles!
Video
Notes
- We all know the basic rule of snow gathering.- no yellow snow. You want that fresh stuff. The stuff no one has stepped on and you want to get it not too long after the snowfall.
- Depending on the texture of the snow, you may have to add more to get the consistency that you enjoy. If it seems too "watery" that means you need to add more snow.
- Vanilla extract is not absolutely necessary but it really adds a kick of flavor. You can also use mint extract for a twist!
- Don't have sweetened condensed milk? Just use a combination of milk and sugar. You'll have to stir and taste until you get it to the texture and flavor you love! The recipe will basically be the same: 8 cups snow (more or less depending on texture), 1 cup milk, ⅓ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until desired consistency is reached.
- I highly recommend popping the can of sweetened condensed milk in the refrigerator before making snow cream. It keeps everything as cold as possible as you stir it all together!
- Your snow ice cream can be kept in the freezer (in a covered, freezer-safe container) for about a week.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: January 2013
Updated & republished: January 2021
Jeff Moody
I grew up eating Moms and Grandma's snowcream, as it was a winter highlight for us youngins. I have to say Brandi, you absolutely nailed this recipe. The sweetened condensed milk is a game-changer. I added about 4 or 5 more cups of snow to get the consistency that I wanted. Delicious! This will be my forever snowcream recipe.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks so much Jeff! Always nice to bring back those special memories! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Beverly Yarborough
I absolutely love snow cream. It brings back so many memories of my childhood. My Grammy used to make it for us, she would use evaporated milk instead of regular milk. For those of you who don't get snow and want to experience it. Mayfield carries a snow cream ice cream, it's pretty close to regular snow cream.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I'll have to look for that! I usually have to drive a little further down into Southwest Virginia to get my hands on Mayfield products.
ANNA
I saw this post and had to try it Now! No snow here but I blended some ice and it was delicious. Thanks for the easy idea!
Jean Leonard
My Grandmama used to make this when I was a kid (grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina) - she would send us out to get a big dishpan (very clean) of snow scooped up off the top layer and she would add sugar, milk (from our cows) and vanilla. We would all eat as much as we could and invariably some of us would have a sore throat the next day!!! But the next time it snowed, we did it again!!!! Great memories!
Jemma
This is some delightful looking and I know tasting snow cream! Wish I could have some right now!! Have a great week and thank you!
Mamamia
This looks yummy and fun! We're suppose to get some snow this week and I'm pretty sure my kiddos would like to help me make this. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Alycia Tandy
Don't get much snow here in Central TX but in the summer time that is my favorite snowcone!
Krissy
Cute, sounds like great fun! I guess we're gonna need to find some shaved ice somewhere- here in Houston we get less snow than most, lol! Definitely not this winter- we've mostly had temps in the 40's-60's & only maybe 2 or 3 days below freezing... just barely!
The Country Cook
Love that you tried it with some crushed ice & that you liked it! Love reading everyone's comments! Thank you for taking the time!
The Better Baker
What a great post! Really nice photos too...and I do love this recipe....with sprinkles for sure. Nice, Brandie!
Kari Lindsay
We don't get snow where I live, but that sure looks fun! Love the toque, super cute.
Tara
Can you diy shaved snow? Would it damage a quisinart to make with ice cubes???
Tara
Can you diy shaved snow? Would it damage a quisinart to make with ice cubes???
Anonymous
We always add sugar and canned, evaporated milk and vanilla. Never tried it with sweetened condensed milk. Interesting!
Anita.hill01@yahoo.com
We always used evaporated milk as well and I almost made yesterday but it was a crazy day!
Tomorrow for sure!!!!
Anita
Lexington Kentucky ❤️
Shiloh Barkley
Such a fun idea
susanlulu
I live in NC. I've never had vanilla snow cream. My Mom always made chocolate. (just add cocoa) Best ever!!
Anonymous
My mom made me this when I was little, and I used to make it for my kids. Most people around here haven't even heard of it.
Which category will you put this recipe in in your index? 🙂
Penny
Darn, I'm going have to go out and buy a raccoon hat. For that matter, I think it might be hard to find some snow here in Florida. Loved your post. Just found your blog.
Pretend Chef
I'll put Little Man in his bear hat from Gap and bundle him and myself up and make a batch of this. Fun! Although there is no snow here in Houston but I could head over to the snoball shop and grab some shaved ice.