I think we all become children again when fresh snow arrives and we can make Homemade Snow Cream. Kids beg for it, and honestly, adults love it too. Made from sugar, vanilla, evaporated milk, and clean fresh snow, this is the simplest, most nostalgic treat to make—guaranteed to bring smiles to every face.
Do you remember your mom making snow cream when you were little? I do. Whenever the ground was blanketed with deep, untouched snow, my mom would send my sister and me outside to gather a big bowl of fresh flakes. She always reminded us to scoop only clean, untouched snow. While she mixed the snow cream, we bundled up for sleigh riding down the big hill on our farm. After an afternoon of sledding, hot chocolate and snow cream were the perfect ending to the day.
Today in northern Kentucky it’s 24°F and about nine inches of new snow covered the ground. It’s a beautiful view behind our cabin—though my driveway tells a different story. My husband, Don, looked out and said it was the perfect day for snow cream: heavy, wet snow that’s ideal for this treat. I took the hint and quickly pulled this post together so you can enjoy this easy recipe while the snow is still fresh.
Let’s get right to it…
INGREDIENTS
This snow cream requires just four simple ingredients:
- sugar
- evaporated milk
- vanilla
- fresh clean snow
Note: If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can use sweetened condensed milk (omit the added sugar) or substitute half-and-half with sugar. Adjust sweetness to taste.
HOW TO MAKE SNOW CREAM
Start by whisking together the sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Set this mixture aside.
Take a large bowl outside and scoop in a generous amount of deep, clean snow. Pack it loosely—the exact amount will depend on how dense your snow is. Heavy, wet snow needs less than dry, powdery snow.
Bring the bowl inside and slowly pour the sugar-milk-vanilla mixture over the snow while gently folding with a spatula. Mix until the texture resembles homemade ice cream. If the mixture becomes too thin, add a bit more snow to thicken it.
Continue folding with a spatula until the liquid and snow are fully combined and smooth.
Serve immediately—snow cream melts fast. If you have leftovers, freeze them; they will firm up and can be scooped later, though they’ll soften quickly when served.
If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment to let me know how you liked it—I love hearing from you!
Description
This creamy, four-ingredient Homemade Snow Cream is a delicious throwback to childhood. It’s easy to make and perfect for involving the kids.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large heaping bowl of fresh, clean snow
Instructions
- Add the sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Fill a large bowl with fresh, clean snow. Heap it up—the amount depends on the snow’s density.
- Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the snow while gently mixing with a spatula. Aim for the consistency of homemade ice cream. Add more snow if needed.
- Eat immediately, as snow cream melts quickly.
- Store any leftovers in the freezer. They’ll become firm when frozen and soften quickly when served.
Notes
- If you don’t have evaporated milk, use half-and-half with sugar or sweetened condensed milk (omit added sugar).