This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This fun snow ice cream recipe is super fun and easy to make in just 5 minutes!
When life gives you snow, make snow ice cream! ♡
If you’ve never whipped up a batch of this fun snow day treat, it couldn’t be easier. All you need are 4 simple ingredients, a bowl and spoon, and a few scoops of fresh snow (or shaved ice). And in less than 5 minutes, a cute and legit-delicious bowl of snow cream can be yours to enjoy!
It’s the perfect quick and easy activity for kiddos of all ages (or, hey, any of us kids at heart). And it’s of course completely customizable with whatever different flavors, nuts, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or any other ice cream add-ins that you love best.
So the next time you wake up to a winter wonderland, go scoop up some fresh snow and let’s make some snow ice cream together!
Snow Ice Cream Recipe | 1-Minute Video
Snow Ice Cream Ingredients
Here are the 5 simple ingredients that you will need to make this snow ice cream recipe:
Milk: You can use just about any kind of milk that you prefer for this recipe — dairy or plant-based, plain or vanilla or chocolate, sweetened or unsweetened, up to you!
Sugar: We typically make snow cream with basic white granulated sugar, but feel free to use whatever type and amount of sweetener you prefer.
Vanilla extract: We’ll add a little splash of vanilla extract as our main flavor.
Fine sea salt: I also highly recommend adding a pinch of fine sea salt to bring out the vanilla flavor.
Fresh snow (or shaved ice): Finally, you’ll need about 8 cups of fresh clean snow. Or if you prefer not to use snow, you’re welcome to use shaved ice instead. I recommend placing the snow in a metal mixing bowl or a chilled glass bowl to prevent it from melting if you bring the snow inside.
Snow Cream Tips
Detailed instructions are included in the recipe below for how to make snow ice cream. But here are a few extra tips to keep in mind too!
Freeze snow while prepping: I’m sure this goes without saying, but fresh snow melts quickly! So I recommend either popping your bowl of fresh snow in the freezer while you prep the other ingredients. Or wait to go scoop up the fresh snow (or make the shaved ice) until you have already whisked the other four ingredients together.
Adjust the sweetener to your liking: Please feel totally free to add however much (or little) sweetener that you prefer. If you are using a sweetened/flavored milk, you will likely also need to use less sweetener.
Add sprinkles just before serving: Most sprinkles will start to bleed their coloring into the ice cream after a minute or two, which is no big deal — they’ll still be delicious. :) However if you would like the sprinkles to look nice when serving the ice cream, I recommend waiting to add them until the very last moment.
Enjoy immediately: In our experience, fresh snow ice cream doesn’t hold up all that well in the freezer. So it’s best to enjoy immediately. :)
Fun Variations
Here are a few ideas for fun add-ins you can mix into or sprinkle on top of your snow ice cream:
Cocoa powder: To make chocolate snow cream, mix 1 heaping tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder into the milk mixture before adding in the snow.
Chocolate chips: Semisweet, white, butterscotch, vegan, etc.
Cookies/candies: Crumbled Oreos or gingersnaps, chopped candy bars, M&Ms, etc.
Fruit: Chopped berries, cherries, peaches, pineapple, etc.
Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, etc.
In a large bowl, whisk milk, sugar, vanilla and salt together until combined. Go scoop up some fresh (clean!) snow, and immediately stir it into the milk mixture until you reach your desired consistency. (The ice cream should be fluffy, not runny. But it melts quickly, so dive in quickly.)
Top with sprinkles or other ice cream toppings if desired, and enjoy!
DO NOT eat this!! Fun to make, dangerous to eat. I’m a pediatric nurse and everyone, especially little ones, can get serious stomach issues from eating snow. Even freshly fallen snow, away from city streets is dirty. Please put a disclaimer that this is not an edible craft!!
This is a little irresponsible of you. Snow has all kinds of pollutants and bacteria in it, and eating that quantity can get your kids sick. Try this instead and use snow instead of ice for a bacteria-free version: Try this instead :for a bacteria-free version: https://tastykitchen.com/blog/2011/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag/ and use snow instead of ice. You can use regular table salt instead of rock salt, too. Just make sure the kids wear gloves and don’t get the salty snow on their hands = frostbite.
Great post, and one we’ll have to try out later today or tomorrow as we ride out this big storm! For those all hysterical some poor child is bound to get sick blah blah blah- what kid doesn’t eat snow when they go outside to play in the snow? Mine do it ALL the time and no one’s worse for the wear (side note- we DO live in a very rural area). There’s risk in eating the meats and produce we bring into our house, yet still we eat them. I think this is no different. Use some common sense about the snow you use and enjoy yourselves!
It’s snow, people! I eat fresh fruit off of trees and vegetables out of the garden, how is snow any worse?? Made this with my son today and he loved it! P.s. I am also a nurse.
Snow cream is not just something you eat, it’s an experience. It’s a memory that is carried with you throughout your life. The day you ate Snowcream. It’s ice cream but not ice cream. I hope you really enjoy.
We had a big snow fall yesterday ,18″! My cousin shared this recipe just before dinner and I surprised the kids and hubby with it . I replaced the sugar with dark maple syrup and added another tsp. of vanilla after tasting the milk mixture . We all LOVED it ,extra sprinkles of course ;) ! We grew up with sugar on snow here in Vt . and always ended up eating some of the snow after the syrup was all eaten up as well as eating it all the time outside . We never had an issue, in fact it was part of normal childhood . In the city I might be a little wary and I myself would keep it as a treat maybe 2-3 times with fresh fallen snow and not over do it ,but otherwise go for it I say :) !
Making memories today in Kansas City, thanks to your recipe! Couldn’t imagine a childhood without catching snowflakes on my tongue, making snow cream, catching frogs with our bare hands, making mud pies, or sharing an ice cream cone with your dog! It’s a miracle I’m still alive-lol.
For those worried about eating fresh fallen snow. It is ok. Really. Smart sciency people who know more about this stuff and most of us have said so. https://www.popsci.com/it-ok-eat-snow and https://chemistry.about.com/od/waterchemistry/fl/Is-It-Safe-To-Eat-Snow.htm/
I see you caught a lot of flack for this recipe. I’m 57 and have been making snow ice cream for my kids and grandkids for over 30 years. Not once did any of them ever get sick. It’s fun, it’s yummy and the little ones love to help!! I imagine those nay sayers wouldn’t drink rain water either. my, how did our grandparents ever survive?? LOL
Awww, brings back such wonderful memories!!! I love snow ice cream…ate it all the time as a little girl and now I get to continue that tradition with my girls. We had a slight snow fall today and we have our bowls in the freezer patiently waiting till the end of school to make our first bowl..cannot wait!! (Btw, I ate this many many times as a child and never got sick)
My daddy made this for me when I was growing up. Living in the deep south, we hardly get snow ever so it was such a treat. I never, ever got sick and I ate a ton of it because it was so good! It is a very special memory making it with my Daddy now that he’s no longer with us and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
seriously… You people freaking about eating snow and or snow cream are quite comical! We ate snow cream by the bowlful when I was a kid and we did not get sick, nor did we sprout third eyes or double ears. If you only knew what our precious government and the FDA/USDA etc hides from the American public, I’m sure snow cream would be the least of our worries!
As for me and my kids, we are enjoying the first major snowfall we’ve seen in Middle Tennessee in years and you can bet we are enjoying the fire out of snow cream too!!! :) Thanks for sharing your recipe!!
Or for those of us that are dairy sensitive, we replace all kitchen ingredients with maple sugar. Mmm. It’s also a fast alternative to wax on snow (or sugar on snow, however you grew up calling it)
This Was Great! I heard my vice principal of my old school always talking about how she made the best snow cream, well now i know that’s not true!! Lol thanx for the recipe :) I surprised my mom with this today and it just tasted so awesome i had to make another batch. I added another 1/3 cup of sugar, a little more vanilla extract, and 1/2 a cup more whole milk. Second batch was just awesome!!! Great recipe im definitely book marking this page
This is the BEST ice cream in the world! I ate this so much as a kid and I did not get sick, I ate it by the bucket full. I am book marking this page ant telling all of my friends about this! Thank you for this awesome recipe!!!
Me and my cousins made this yesterday, and instead of vanilla we used strawberry syrup. It was actually very delicious, and fun to make. We really enjoyed it.
I have eaten snow cream for at least 65 years and I am perfectly fine and I have wonderful memories. It is snow NOT bird or swine flu or mad cow disease! Enjoy it and make some memories. If you are still concerned Pray over it first, which is what you should do with everything you eat.
Oh, pashaw. The only thing you’re not supposed to do is eat the snow (for water) if you’re stranded in a survival situation because it’ll dangerously lower your body temp. I guess you bitter Bettie’s don’t drink tap or spring water, breathe the air, eat meats/plants/veggies, or exist in reality… because there are pollutants everywhere. If you expect the FDA to be point with standards of safety, you’re missing the boat. I for one, and going to live on the edge – with my kids – and get outside today and put our 12″ to good use! Thanks for the post that’s still going strong!!
I love snow ice cream me and my great- grand maw make it all the time in the winter. I understand people being concern making this recipe with snow on street side walks. But if your out in the country it is fine. I mean come on who has not ate snow as a kid. I was always told “if it is brown or yellow leave it be, if it is white then it is clean.”
I’m 41 (and also a pharmacist) and have been making & eating this almost every year year since I can remember. It came from a cookbook that was my great-great grandmother’s. She also ate it almost every year along with almost every family member. No one got sick or died (just a bit chubby). The only thing I say to change is to use cream, not milk……way better!
Thanks for sharing Tanya! I love hearing about the memories certain foods/recipes conjure up for people. I will definitely try it with cream sometime, when I’m feeling like a real splurge! : )
I wonder if my little one can handle this recipe :D she’s into ice cream making alot, even loves ice cream making games like papas freezeria https://papasgames.us/papas-freezeria/. Thanks for the best recipe ever
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Sure, we think this would be a great recipe for little ones! : )
Thank you, Thank you, Thankyou ! I live in Arizona and it is currently 114 degrees outside ! I have a shaved ice machine and cant wait to have sno cream for dinner !!!!!!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Oh my goodness, that’s hot! We hope this cools you down!
I tried this with almond milk as I’m all but vegan, and it was great! My picky roommate even liked it. I’ve been trying to find a good vegan ice cream and this works great! Thank you for this recipe!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for sharing Ari, we’re glad you and your roomie enjoyed this! :)
We have about a foot of fresh snow here in Nebraska and it is still snowing and blowing. My Facebook is loaded with photos and people posting about snow cream. So I Googled it and find your site very 1st. I will #GIMMESOMEOVEN you on.my Facebook page. Hopefully it works as I’ve never done a hashtage before.
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Oh my goodness, that’s a lot of snow! We hope you enjoy both the snow and the snow ice cream. Thanks for checking out the blog! :D
We are having a ton of snow here! I am sharing your recipe and suggesting people add Lemon, Orange or Lime Essential Oil :D Edible Essential Oils…(read the label!)
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Yay! We hope you enjoy the snow and the snow ice cream! And mmmm we think that lemon sounds yummy! :)
Got a similar recipe (no salt) from my mom years and years ago (she called it snow cream). She grew up very poor and this “ice cream” was quite a treat for her and her sisters. She made it for our family any time we had snow deep enough to safely collect (without getting dirt, grass, etc.!), and we thought it was great! You’re right…eat it right away, but I have frozen it for a week with decent results. It’s kind of magical to make ice cream from snow! Definitely a kid-pleaser.
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for sharing Julie — we’re glad you appreciate snow ice cream too! :)
This is an intriguing idea. I’ve never thought of making ice cream out of snow. I must substitute sugar with something else as we are on a sugar free diet but I will definitely give it a try!
This recipe is perfect for a Snow Day and it doesn’t call for anything special like half-and-half or sweetened and condensed milk, just regular milk. It tastes exactly like French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, totally recommend it!
DO NOT eat this!! Fun to make, dangerous to eat. I’m a pediatric nurse and everyone, especially little ones, can get serious stomach issues from eating snow. Even freshly fallen snow, away from city streets is dirty. Please put a disclaimer that this is not an edible craft!!
Oops…
What is the salt for? I don’t see it in the recipe, but it’s in the picture.
This is a little irresponsible of you. Snow has all kinds of pollutants and bacteria in it, and eating that quantity can get your kids sick. Try this instead and use snow instead of ice for a bacteria-free version: Try this instead :for a bacteria-free version: https://tastykitchen.com/blog/2011/09/ice-cream-in-a-bag/ and use snow instead of ice. You can use regular table salt instead of rock salt, too. Just make sure the kids wear gloves and don’t get the salty snow on their hands = frostbite.
Great post, and one we’ll have to try out later today or tomorrow as we ride out this big storm! For those all hysterical some poor child is bound to get sick blah blah blah- what kid doesn’t eat snow when they go outside to play in the snow? Mine do it ALL the time and no one’s worse for the wear (side note- we DO live in a very rural area). There’s risk in eating the meats and produce we bring into our house, yet still we eat them. I think this is no different. Use some common sense about the snow you use and enjoy yourselves!
It’s snow, people! I eat fresh fruit off of trees and vegetables out of the garden, how is snow any worse?? Made this with my son today and he loved it! P.s. I am also a nurse.
Snow cream is not just something you eat, it’s an experience. It’s a memory that is carried with you throughout your life. The day you ate Snowcream. It’s ice cream but not ice cream. I hope you really enjoy.
My son and I just made this and it came out great! Quick & delicious. Thanks!
OMG People its SNOW!!!! You run a greater risk eating chicken!
Fun project to do with the kids post New England Blizzard and it tasted just like fresh homemade vanilla bean ice cream!
We had a big snow fall yesterday ,18″! My cousin shared this recipe just before dinner and I surprised the kids and hubby with it . I replaced the sugar with dark maple syrup and added another tsp. of vanilla after tasting the milk mixture . We all LOVED it ,extra sprinkles of course ;) ! We grew up with sugar on snow here in Vt . and always ended up eating some of the snow after the syrup was all eaten up as well as eating it all the time outside . We never had an issue, in fact it was part of normal childhood . In the city I might be a little wary and I myself would keep it as a treat maybe 2-3 times with fresh fallen snow and not over do it ,but otherwise go for it I say :) !
I’ve eaten snow cream all my life and i’m just fine.
Making memories today in Kansas City, thanks to your recipe! Couldn’t imagine a childhood without catching snowflakes on my tongue, making snow cream, catching frogs with our bare hands, making mud pies, or sharing an ice cream cone with your dog! It’s a miracle I’m still alive-lol.
For those worried about eating fresh fallen snow. It is ok. Really. Smart sciency people who know more about this stuff and most of us have said so. https://www.popsci.com/it-ok-eat-snow and https://chemistry.about.com/od/waterchemistry/fl/Is-It-Safe-To-Eat-Snow.htm/
Thanks for the recipe….we have 10+ inches of snow in KY today, my kids will LOVE it!! Just beware of the “Yellow” snow!!
I see you caught a lot of flack for this recipe. I’m 57 and have been making snow ice cream for my kids and grandkids for over 30 years. Not once did any of them ever get sick. It’s fun, it’s yummy and the little ones love to help!! I imagine those nay sayers wouldn’t drink rain water either. my, how did our grandparents ever survive?? LOL
Awww, brings back such wonderful memories!!! I love snow ice cream…ate it all the time as a little girl and now I get to continue that tradition with my girls. We had a slight snow fall today and we have our bowls in the freezer patiently waiting till the end of school to make our first bowl..cannot wait!! (Btw, I ate this many many times as a child and never got sick)
My daddy made this for me when I was growing up. Living in the deep south, we hardly get snow ever so it was such a treat. I never, ever got sick and I ate a ton of it because it was so good! It is a very special memory making it with my Daddy now that he’s no longer with us and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
We added flavored coffee creamer for variety of flavors each time! Kids love chocolate caramel the best!
It’s snow. I’m 18 and I’ve been doing it all my life and I’m perfectly fine
seriously… You people freaking about eating snow and or snow cream are quite comical! We ate snow cream by the bowlful when I was a kid and we did not get sick, nor did we sprout third eyes or double ears. If you only knew what our precious government and the FDA/USDA etc hides from the American public, I’m sure snow cream would be the least of our worries!
As for me and my kids, we are enjoying the first major snowfall we’ve seen in Middle Tennessee in years and you can bet we are enjoying the fire out of snow cream too!!! :) Thanks for sharing your recipe!!
Great idea! My sister and I tried this today, it was great!!
Or for those of us that are dairy sensitive, we replace all kitchen ingredients with maple sugar. Mmm. It’s also a fast alternative to wax on snow (or sugar on snow, however you grew up calling it)
This Was Great! I heard my vice principal of my old school always talking about how she made the best snow cream, well now i know that’s not true!! Lol thanx for the recipe :) I surprised my mom with this today and it just tasted so awesome i had to make another batch. I added another 1/3 cup of sugar, a little more vanilla extract, and 1/2 a cup more whole milk. Second batch was just awesome!!! Great recipe im definitely book marking this page
This is the BEST ice cream in the world! I ate this so much as a kid and I did not get sick, I ate it by the bucket full. I am book marking this page ant telling all of my friends about this! Thank you for this awesome recipe!!!
#The BEST
Me and my cousins made this yesterday, and instead of vanilla we used strawberry syrup. It was actually very delicious, and fun to make. We really enjoyed it.
that was fast and easy
Omgz! I luv this recipes! It’s so easy and delicious! Thank u so much!
I have eaten snow cream for at least 65 years and I am perfectly fine and I have wonderful memories. It is snow NOT bird or swine flu or mad cow disease! Enjoy it and make some memories. If you are still concerned Pray over it first, which is what you should do with everything you eat.
Oh, pashaw. The only thing you’re not supposed to do is eat the snow (for water) if you’re stranded in a survival situation because it’ll dangerously lower your body temp. I guess you bitter Bettie’s don’t drink tap or spring water, breathe the air, eat meats/plants/veggies, or exist in reality… because there are pollutants everywhere. If you expect the FDA to be point with standards of safety, you’re missing the boat. I for one, and going to live on the edge – with my kids – and get outside today and put our 12″ to good use! Thanks for the post that’s still going strong!!
I love snow ice cream me and my great- grand maw make it all the time in the winter. I understand people being concern making this recipe with snow on street side walks. But if your out in the country it is fine. I mean come on who has not ate snow as a kid. I was always told “if it is brown or yellow leave it be, if it is white then it is clean.”
I’m 41 (and also a pharmacist) and have been making & eating this almost every year year since I can remember. It came from a cookbook that was my great-great grandmother’s. She also ate it almost every year along with almost every family member. No one got sick or died (just a bit chubby). The only thing I say to change is to use cream, not milk……way better!
Thanks for sharing Tanya! I love hearing about the memories certain foods/recipes conjure up for people. I will definitely try it with cream sometime, when I’m feeling like a real splurge! : )
very elegant and beautiful
Thank you, Sam!
I wonder if my little one can handle this recipe :D she’s into ice cream making alot, even loves ice cream making games like papas freezeria https://papasgames.us/papas-freezeria/. Thanks for the best recipe ever
Sure, we think this would be a great recipe for little ones! : )
Thank you, Thank you, Thankyou ! I live in Arizona and it is currently 114 degrees outside ! I have a shaved ice machine and cant wait to have sno cream for dinner !!!!!!
Oh my goodness, that’s hot! We hope this cools you down!
We just got done eating your snow ice cream recipe. Delicious.
We just made this for the second time! It has officially become a family tradition! Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Kristin, we’re so happy you and your family are fans! :)
We are supposed to get snow this afternoon, my little guy would think this is so much fun!
Oh awesome! We hope you got snow then and that your little one enjoyed this! :D
I tried this with almond milk as I’m all but vegan, and it was great! My picky roommate even liked it. I’ve been trying to find a good vegan ice cream and this works great! Thank you for this recipe!
Thanks for sharing Ari, we’re glad you and your roomie enjoyed this! :)
I made lemon flavored snow ice cream. It was delicious!
Oooh we bet that was yummy! We’ll have to try that ourselves! :)
We have about a foot of fresh snow here in Nebraska and it is still snowing and blowing. My Facebook is loaded with photos and people posting about snow cream. So I Googled it and find your site very 1st. I will #GIMMESOMEOVEN you on.my Facebook page. Hopefully it works as I’ve never done a hashtage before.
Oh my goodness, that’s a lot of snow! We hope you enjoy both the snow and the snow ice cream. Thanks for checking out the blog! :D
What a brilliant idea…. I tried this in india in not so cold weather yet it came out superb…. Thanks for sharing….
Thanks Alpana! :)
We are having a ton of snow here! I am sharing your recipe and suggesting people add Lemon, Orange or Lime Essential Oil :D Edible Essential Oils…(read the label!)
Yay! We hope you enjoy the snow and the snow ice cream! And mmmm we think that lemon sounds yummy! :)
Got a similar recipe (no salt) from my mom years and years ago (she called it snow cream). She grew up very poor and this “ice cream” was quite a treat for her and her sisters. She made it for our family any time we had snow deep enough to safely collect (without getting dirt, grass, etc.!), and we thought it was great! You’re right…eat it right away, but I have frozen it for a week with decent results. It’s kind of magical to make ice cream from snow! Definitely a kid-pleaser.
Thanks for sharing Julie — we’re glad you appreciate snow ice cream too! :)
Ice cream, church and AE milk all in one post? I’m digging it! :D
My hubs and I are ice cream gluttons, so we’ll have to try this!
Awesome, we hope you two enjoy it Tori! :)
This is an intriguing idea. I’ve never thought of making ice cream out of snow. I must substitute sugar with something else as we are on a sugar free diet but I will definitely give it a try!
We hope you enjoy it, Edi! :)
I’ve made this several times! So good!!!
This snow cream tastes exactly like French Vanilla Ice Cream! Perfect for a snow day!
This recipe is perfect for a Snow Day and it doesn’t call for anything special like half-and-half or sweetened and condensed milk, just regular milk. It tastes exactly like French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, totally recommend it!
Thanks for sharing with us, Dana — we’re so happy it was a hit! :)
We have about 2-3 feet of snow here in British Columbia and I had to jump on this bandwagon
I’ll tag it on my Instagram??
Oh man, that’s a lot of snow! :) We hope you enjoy this!
It is soooo good!!!