How to Make Snow Cream With 2 Ingredients
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Want to learn how to make snow cream? All you need is clean snow and condensed milk to make this sweet homemade ice cream taking TikTok by storm.
With snow ice cream having a moment right now, I thought this was the perfect time to resurrect this easy-peasy snow cream recipe. Now, I know there are countless recipes for snow cream out there and I honestly am pretty surprised that I have the ability to bring you even one! Living in Alabama, snow is not something we normally see (we’re usually lucky if we get a dusting a decade). But we woke up to a full 10 inches this morning and folks started asking about snow cream on Facebook so here we go!
My snow cream recipe is simple because… well, you have probably caught onto the fact that I’m not one to complicate things. Simple is good and why mess with a good thing, right? When it comes to how to make snow cream, all you need to know is it’s quick, easy, and only needs 2 simple ingredients. That’s freshly fallen snow and a can of sweetened condensed milk.
The instructions are as simple as the ingredients and involve… stirring the ingredients together. Voila, you have homemade snow ice cream in the blink of an eye! I’ve included lots of serving suggestions below, but serve it exactly as you would serve a normal scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Before we dive in, usual disclaimers apply. If you live near a nuclear meltdown zone, you are probably better off eating plain old ice cream. If you raise dogs who have already tromped through your yard this morning, you are probably better off eating plain old ice cream as well. Personally, I put my dishpans out last night so I had a big old pile of fresh clean snow waiting for me this morning.
Okay, now let’s get crackin’!
Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh snow or shaved ice
- Sweetened condensed milk
I estimated you’ll need about 8 to 12 cups of snow, but don’t fret too much. Just eyeball it and you’ll be fine.
How to Make Snow Cream
Pour sweetened condensed milk over the freshly fallen snow in a big bowl.
Stir well.
Really well.
Like so.
Yep, that’s all there is to it. Grab a serving glass or bowl and serve up your snow cream.
The kids love to add sprinkles but you can serve your snow ice cream however you like (keep scrolling for more inspiration).
Storage
Now, I personally put the remaining snow cream on the back porch so we can go back for seconds later. However, you can also store it covered or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Recipe Notes
- You can place the canned sweetened condensed milk in the fridge for an hour or so to ensure it’s nice and chilled before adding it to the fresh snow.
- For vanilla snow ice cream, add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract for a kick of flavor. A pinch of sea salt will also enhance the flavor.
- You can also use peppermint extract for something different too.
- Now, you can substitute the sweetened condensed milk for a cup of milk and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar mixed together. Let it chill while the snow gathers and then combine them as instructed. However, I find the condensed milk gives the fluffy snow a richer and more decadent flavor.
- Here are some fun ice cream toppings to add to your cup, cone, or bowl of snow:
- Sprinkles
- Chopped nuts (try my walnuts in syrup or candied pecans).
- Chocolate chips or M&Ms
- Maple syrup
- Hot fudge sauce, chocolate syrup, or a drizzle of Nutella to make a chocolate snow ice cream recipe.
- Homemade dulce de leche or caramel sauce.
- Crushed Oreo cookies, gingersnaps, or graham crackers.
- Chopped candy bars
- Chopped fresh fruit, like strawberries for strawberry ice cream.
Recipe FAQs
Can you make snow cream from the first snow?
You can make this snow ice cream recipe from the first snow or the last snow, as long as it’s fluffy, freshly fallen, and clean (yeah, stay away from that yellow snow, folks).
Why do you wait for the second snow to make snow cream?
Well, some people wait for the second snow because they say the first one “cleans the air.” However, down here in the South when snow doesn’t come around often, we can’t be picky!
Is it safe to make snow cream out of snow?
Yes, it is safe to make snow ice cream out of snow. However, you want to make sure the snow is fresh and clean. This means placing a clean pan or bowl outside to catch the snow so it doesn’t touch any soil or the street. The wind also tends to deposit a fine layer of dirt/particles on snow within a day, so once the pan is full, it’s time to make homemade ice cream.
How long does snow cream last?
When stored in an airtight container in the freezer, your homemade snow ice cream will last up to one week.
Check out these other enticing ice cream recipes:
No Churn Ice Cream With Fresh Blackberries
Homemade Peach Ice Cream (No Eggs Needed)
Deep Fried Ice Cream Milkshakes
Ingredients
- 1 dishpan or large bowl fresh clean snow (or shaved ice)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Combine snow and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl or dishpan.1 dishpan or large bowl fresh clean snow (or shaved ice), 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- Stir really well then serve immediately. Add toppings if desired.
We always made snow ice cream with just good old milk
sugar to taste and vanilla and added Hersheys syrup once
And awhile. The best. Watch out for yellow snow!!! Lol
I remember my mom making snow cream when I was little, she used sugar and milk also, but she would always wait till at least the second snow fall of the year. Not sure why, I need to ask her that someday.
We are suppose to be getting some snow tonight, any where from 1 to 6 inches (our weatherman can’t seem to make up their mind). It wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit to get over 10 (no way my van can drive through that) I can stay at home with the kids. I will have to set my pail out tonight and make up some for the my girls before I go to work.
Because the first snow was supposed to have knocked all of the pollutants out of the air. Only here in the south, we don’t get snow close enough together to do that. So I just scoop off some snow from the top and then make sure I don’t get too close to the bottom of the snow – just take the middle layer.
And don’t take it from under wires, near trees, etc – where birdies, doggies, etc make “deposits”- no yellow or brown snow! lol
Snow Cream!! Now that is a prime example of Southern thriftiness and ingenuity at it’s best!! I am a TN gal and grew up eating snow cream! I now live in Northern Ohio where we have lots of snow and was shocked because the only people I have met up here that have ever heard of snow cream are also transplanted Southerners! Needless to say I have passed out my recipe many, many times!! Oh – my recipe is milk, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt. My boys swear that the salt is the secret ingredient!
haley, my mama was from TN and she made it that way only no salt in it. i was out of milk yesterday and didn’t get to make any snow cream. i live outside dallas TX and we got about 4 inches of snow. i miss having kids at home to make it for, just have one son at home and he’s not much on sweets.
This is exactly how I make mine. When most people are going to the store for milk and bread, I am making sure I have sweetened condensed milk.( I have 4 cans right now) Just put the pans out. I just hope we get enough snow between now and supper to have it for dessert.
Christy, I follow your blog with such delight. This post transports me back to my own childhood. My mother used to make this with my 4 brothers and sister and myself. What fun we had making it and eating it. Thank you for bringing to mind such AWESOME memories. Snow cream is truly delicious!
I grew up in NC eating snow cream. Ours is simple too: bowl of snow, sugar to taste, teaspoon vanilla and enough milk to make it slushy. We’re having snow here today too.
hey guys–just beware of the yellow snow!!!!