When winter brings a fresh blanket of snow, most of us like to bundle up and head outside for snowball fights or to build a snowman. But have you ever considered using snow to make a sweet, creamy, fun little treat?

Yes, you heard that right! We’re talking about snow ice cream (or snow cream) — a delicious dessert you can make with freshly fallen snow. If you want to learn how to make snow ice cream, it won’t take long.

Making ice cream out of snow is a delightful winter activity. Plus, all you need to make it is a few ingredients and a lot of creativity. As long as you know the basic recipe, you can add all sorts of things to it, like different flavors, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc.

So, if you’re ready to make this creamy frozen delight, keep reading for some tips to make the perfect snow ice cream and some fun recipes to try out.

How to Find the Perfect Snow

Part of the fun of making this frosty treat is going outside and playing in the snow. But remember: not all snow is suitable for making this dessert.

Before you learn how to make snow ice cream, you must learn how to find the right kind of snow.

The snow you collect needs to be safe and hygienic to consume. It needs to be free of any dirt, debris, or other contamination to ensure this fun activity doesn’t turn sour. Otherwise, you can always substitute snow with shaved ice to achieve similar effects.

Here are five tips for finding the perfect snow for this delicious winter treat:

• Look for Fresh Snow —The best and safest snow for making snow ice cream is freshly fallen snow. Fresh snow is clean and hasn’t been sitting around gathering dirt and debris.
• Avoid Yellow Snow — This might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning; don’t use yellow snow. This snow is contaminated and can risk your health and well-being.
• Check the Texture — If you want to make a creamy snow cream, you need to find the right snow texture. Look for light and fluffy snow instead of anything too wet, icy, or compact.
• Check the Temperature — The temperature outside can also affect the quality of the snow. Ideally, you want to use snow that is at or just below freezing, as it will have a better texture.
• Check the Snow Depth — The depth of the snow you collect can tell you a lot about its quality. If the snow is too shallow, it may have been exposed to the ground and is likely dirty or contaminated.

Once you’ve found the perfect snow, it’s time to start making snow ice cream! But first, let’s look at the ingredients you’ll need.

How to Make Snow Ice Cream: Basic Recipe

This basic snow ice cream is incredibly easy to make and requires only three simple ingredients. The sweetened condensed milk gives the ice cream a rich and creamy texture, while the vanilla extract adds a dessert-y flavor.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of fresh, clean snow
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Collect 8 cups of fresh, clean snow in a large mixing bowl. Be sure to heed the tips we discussed earlier for finding the perfect snow.
2. In a separate, clean bowl, whisk together one can of sweetened condensed milk and one teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Pour the condensed milk mixture over the snow and gently fold it with a spatula until it is well-combined and creamy.
4. Once fully combined, transfer the snow ice cream to a serving dish and enjoy immediately. We’ll discuss some tips and ideas about ways to serve this treat shortly.

Once you master this recipe, you can get as creative as you want. This is an especially fun activity for kids, as they can add their favorite toppings and flavor combinations. Let’s take a look at some fun variations for inspiration.

The Top 3 Best Snow Ice Cream Recipes for Kids

If you thought basic snow ice cream was delicious, wait until you try these fun variations. From fruity to chocolatey, these recipes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and add a new level of excitement to your snow day.

So grab an ice cream scoop and dive into these delicious snow ice cream recipe variations!

Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of snow
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, or whipped cream for topping (optional)

Instructions:

• Collect 8 cups of fresh, clean snow in a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together one can of sweetened condensed milk, ¼ cup of cocoa powder, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.
• Pour the condensed milk mixture over the snow and gently fold it with a spatula.
• Once the mixture is blended and creamy, transfer it to a serving dish.
• Top with chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, or whipped cream if desired.

Fresh Strawberry

Looking for a fruity and refreshing treat while enjoying the winter wonderland around you? Or maybe you have some leftover strawberries you want to utilize. Here’s a fun recipe made with juicy strawberries to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of fresh snow
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Collect 8 cups of fresh snow in a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together one can of sweetened condensed milk and one teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.
• Add the chopped strawberries to the condensed milk mixture and stir until well combined.
• Pour the condensed milk and strawberry mixture over the snow and gently fold it with a spatula.
• Once fully combined and creamy, transfer the mixture to a serving dish and enjoy immediately.

Mint Chocolate Chip

If you’re a fan of the cool and refreshing taste of mint combined with the richness of chocolate, try this winter twist on the classic mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of fresh, clean snow
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
• ½ cup of chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Collect 8 cups of fresh, clean snow in a large mixing bowl
• In a separate bowl, whisk together one can of sweetened condensed milk and one teaspoon of peppermint extract until well combined.
• Add the chocolate chips to the condensed milk mixture and stir.
• Pour the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture over the snow and gently fold it with a spatula.
• Once fully combined, transfer the mint chocolate chip snow ice cream to a serving dish and enjoy immediately.

5 Handy Tips for Serving Snow Ice Cream

Now that you’ve mastered the art of making this fun-packed dessert, it’s time to serve it up! While this frozen delight is sure to be a hit with your friends and family, follow these tips to ensure the ice cream is the best!

1. Serve Immediately — If you wait too long to serve the ice cream, the snow will begin to melt, and the texture will become icy and grainy.
2. Add Toppings — Snow ice cream is the perfect canvas for a variety of toppings. Consider adding crushed cookies, candy pieces, or sprinkles to add a fun and flavorful twist.
3. Keep it Cold — If you keep the ice cream in the freezer before serving, cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted flavors or odors from the freezer.
4. Experiment with Flavors — While traditional vanilla and chocolate snow ice cream are always delicious, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors! Try adding fruit, extracts, or spices to create unique and exciting flavor combinations.
5. Share the Fun — Making snow ice cream is a fun and unique experience everyone can enjoy. Invite your friends and family to join in the fun and create their own custom flavors.

Conclusion

We’re told not to play with our food, but these fun snow ice cream recipes might be the exception.

Made with just a few basic ingredients and a little bit of fresh snow, this chilly sweet treat is easy to make and sure to impress. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or bold and unique flavors, there are endless possibilities for customizing your recipe to suit your taste preferences.

So now that you’ve learned how to make snow ice cream, embrace the winter season and give this frozen delight a try!