Easy Snow Ice Cream Recipe
on Jan 08, 2018, Updated Sep 01, 2024
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Easy snow ice cream is a fun recipe for cold winter months. You only need four ingredients: evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, and fresh snow!
Have you ever heard of making ice cream out of snow? It’s so fun and simple to do, and it’s one of my family’s favorite winter activities after a big snowstorm! My mom made this for us when we were growing up, so I’ve always been fond of this creative hack for making ice cream.
My kids were totally amazed the first time I showed them this easy recipe (extra mom points for the win)! I remember being stunned watching my mom make it, too. She’d let us sit around the bar and eat ice cream straight out of the giant white bowl she mixed it up in! It’s become a winter tradition for us over the years, and I’m excited for you to try it, too.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- If you live somewhere with snow, this simple sweet treat will be everything to you (and your kids) and will get you through to warmer months!
- This recipe only used four ingredients and only takes about 5 minutes to make.
- Snow Ice Cream is a delightful treat to make after a big snowfall. You’ll love how easy, sweet, and tasty it is, especially with all your favorite ice cream toppings!
Recipe Ingredients
- Evaporated milk
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla
- Snow
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Snow Ice Cream
Step 1: Mix the milk, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined.
Step 2: Add the snow to a big bowl.
Step 3: Pour the milk mixture over the top and stir well to combine.
Step 4: Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you’d like.
Recipe FAQs
Snow ice cream is just like it sounds—ice cream made of snow (and three other key ingredients)! It’s traditionally a Southern treat, and I grew up eating it after big snowstorms. This cold, creamy treat makes a snow day all the more fun.
Yep, it’s generally safe to eat snow, but you’ll want to make sure it’s fresh snow, typically right after a snowstorm. Make sure it’s bright white—if it’s colored in any way, then it’s contaminated by dirt, animals, or something else.
The amount of snow really depends on the texture of the snow itself. Mine was extra wet and heavy when I made this, and about 8 cups were perfect. If your snow is drier and fluffier, you may want to add quite a bit more. The taste and texture should be your guide—it should be thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra snow as needed.
Expert Tips
- The texture of your snow will affect how much is needed to make your ice cream. Wet, heavy Indiana snow will need less than light and powdery Utah snow.
- Add your milk mixture a little at a time and stir often. The texture of the snow ice cream is just right when it reminds you of homemade ice cream right out of the churn. It will be just a little on the thin side like a milkshake.
- Long live all the cute sprinkles.
More Ice Cream Recipes to Consider
Ice Cream
Pistachio Gelato
Ice Cream
Fresh Peach Ice Cream
Ice Cream
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Dessert Recipes
Strawberry Milkshakes
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Quick and Easy Snow Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 can evaporated milk, (12 ounces) or 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Bowl of Snow, about 1/2 gallon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the milk, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined.
- In a large bowl, add about 8-10 cups of snow. Pour the milk mixture over the top and stir well to combine. The texture will be close to that of homemade ice cream (thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped).
- Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you'd like.
Video
Notes
- This recipe is traditionally a Southern treat and I grew up eating it as a kid after big snowstorms. It makes a snow day all the more fun when you get this cold, creamy treat.
- There are so many options for toppings to add a fun touch!
- Snow ice cream is a delight to make after a big snowfall. You’ll love how easy, sweet, and tasty it is.
- The texture will be close to homemade ice cream (thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped). Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you’d like.
I haven’t made this specific recipe but I know it will be wonderful. I grew up in Tennessee where we don’t get a lot of snow so, Snow Cream was a treat. Thank you for posting! I will make this recipe with our first good snow.
We made this recipe this afternoon and it turned out amazing! Thank you for such a great recipe!!!