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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!
Hello! I’m an 11-year-old and I’m almost 12, (I turn 12 on April 13), and I tried this out because school got canceled due to snow. I’d like to thank you for sharing this with me! All of my family enjoyed it thank you!
Snow ice cream is long ago memories of my grandmother….my friend ask me if I had ever made some for my 14 year old son and I said no….so today we are gathering up some fresh snow…..and it will be delicious…….looking forward to traditions to be continued…….
Thank you for this! Snow days in March are usually a bummer, so this made the day much brighter. I added a splash of cold coffee to my bowl and now I wish I made more.
I used to visit Mayfield Dairy in Birmingham Alabama .
They made Snow Cream in the ice cream plant for sale in supermarkets. Is Snow Cream still made commercially in the south?
Great for those with dairy allergies! We make this every chance we get. My son is allergic to dairy but this allows him to eat icecream. Bonus- it’s much cheaper that buying dairy free icecream at the store.
I’m 50 now and growing up this was a treat and bonding with my Dad. Every good snow we’d drag out the biggest bowls and pots, go scrape some snow and make this. I know some folks ask about freezing and no, it really won’t freeze well (though I know people try to just store the snow and I’ve not tried that) but if you get some empty ice trays and fill it up with left over snow ice cream (or this works with home made popsicle things also) then get some rootbeer, cream soda, Coke or whatever. Put the snow ice cream cubes into your root beer and voila, snow ice cream root beer floats.
So I’m printing your recipe out for a great group of Pre-K kids to have handy this weekend. Here in Virginia, we are expected to really get some snow Sunday!
I remember my mom making homemade ice cream when we were kids. It’s been along time, but I’m ready for it.
I just made this and it’s good. My son wanted to add coloring and I thought to add maraschino cherries with some juice instead. It made it have a nice flavor and everyone liked it.
Fantastic and easy recipe! My first time making snow cream and it was fun and easy! Super glad we could use just regular milk too. My daughter said it is snow cream dream! Yummy! Thanks for sharing!
I made this earlier today and it was AMAZING!!! I am 13 yrs old and I made this for me and my grandma and we loved it. The flavor was very good and we added some toppings and that was very good. I would say that the snow melted very easily 😂 Definitely trying again!
Just tried just tried this recipe with my husband and son, it was awesome. If you add a scoop of hot cocoa mix to it you can make chocolate! Perfect snowy day snack. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
We made this tonight for Cub Scouts. It was good and easy! We used coconut milk beverage, as that is what my son prefers. I had premeasured the milk and vanilla into a jar. Then I premeasured the sugar and salt and put that in another. So then while we were outside, the kids mixed those two into a bowl. Then I carried the bowl out to some fresh snow :-) and we scooped in the snow.
I had some extra that I brought home and my teenager didn’t like it (with the coconut milk – which did give it a coconuty flavor), but he was inspired to make some with regular dairy milk. He made 1/4 of the recipe, which made a bowl portion for him. It tasted just like “regular” vanilla ice cream. He’s asked if he could make it for dessert every night when we have snow (and we have lots of it at the moment).
The snow ice craem was realy good and im a 13 year old and haave never had snow ice cream so i just want to thank yall for puting theese wonderfull recipes on here
Thank you for the recipe- it’s been a loong time since I made any and refresh to the memory is useful! My mom usta make snow cream every winter when I was growing up and the years I was I’ll with strep throat she’d sneak and eat some before I got up since I couldn’t have any. In my college years my roomies thought I was daft when I mentioned making it but were believers when they tasted it! Yum!!
Thank you for this recipe. I had forgotten the recipe…70+… My grandchildren loved it! I cut to the chase and simply used sweetened condensed milk to the snow. Thanks again! Making memories with the grands😍
I have been making this the last couple of years and adding maraschino cherries with some juice. It gives it some good flavor and color. We finally got enough snow to make some!
I remember my Grandmother making this for me when I was young. We always had to wait for the 2nd snow so it would be clean and we would put pots out to catch the snow. She would add an egg in her recipe, so I am happy to find an egg less recipe. At least until I find a source for fresh eggs. 🥰
first time i made it it tasted so GOSH DARN GOOD but i tried again today it didnt work, tried again again a third time and once again failed =< i don't know wht the heck happened
This was easy to make and really really good! Definitely approved by my 10, 7 and 5 year old! We split the recipe to make 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 vanilla. It was a great treat!
I made this ice cream in less than 5 minutes with my brother and my sister. I followed the instructions and it came out so good thank you so much! 👍 If anyone reads this I recommend this ice cream!😀
I have made this recipe so many times and I’m in love but I always forget how to do it so I always come back to this website
SAME! Tonight it’s been snowing here in South Carolina for about 3 hours now! Seeing it snow is quite rare down here! 😅❄🍧
made a lot, but tasted nice
Very delicious recipe although I recommend adding a little more vanilla than it says to add. Also my ice cream was very runny.
Freeze your bowl ahead of time. Before you make the snow ice cream in it
We make this with just condensed milk and vanilla. It turns out yummy!
Can you freeze
Yes you can but it will be harder and not as easy to eat.
Yes it will just be hard lol
If it is about 20-30 degrees outside I would recommend leaving it outside instead. It won’t get as hard.
Wonderful treat for the great East Texas blizzard of February 15, 2021
Same here, except the great North Texas Blizzard of Jan 31, 2023
Yum! Easy & yum!
I LOVED IT
mmmmmm that look yummy
and it must be good
I have had this before it is awesome.
Hello! I’m an 11-year-old and I’m almost 12, (I turn 12 on April 13), and I tried this out because school got canceled due to snow. I’d like to thank you for sharing this with me! All of my family enjoyed it thank you!
Snow ice cream is long ago memories of my grandmother….my friend ask me if I had ever made some for my 14 year old son and I said no….so today we are gathering up some fresh snow…..and it will be delicious…….looking forward to traditions to be continued…….
This was great I loved it
So Yummy!!!!
Double thumbs up and declared “a keeper” from both of my boys!
Using condensed milk is better than using regular milk I think and so does my family but we went by this recipe and loved it!
best ice cream ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for this! Snow days in March are usually a bummer, so this made the day much brighter. I added a splash of cold coffee to my bowl and now I wish I made more.
This was yummy, and fun!
I used to visit Mayfield Dairy in Birmingham Alabama .
They made Snow Cream in the ice cream plant for sale in supermarkets. Is Snow Cream still made commercially in the south?
Great for those with dairy allergies! We make this every chance we get. My son is allergic to dairy but this allows him to eat icecream. Bonus- it’s much cheaper that buying dairy free icecream at the store.
Did you use almond or oat milk? Would that work?
My toddlers and I were HUGE fans. Came together in minutes and was super yummy!
I’m 50 now and growing up this was a treat and bonding with my Dad. Every good snow we’d drag out the biggest bowls and pots, go scrape some snow and make this. I know some folks ask about freezing and no, it really won’t freeze well (though I know people try to just store the snow and I’ve not tried that) but if you get some empty ice trays and fill it up with left over snow ice cream (or this works with home made popsicle things also) then get some rootbeer, cream soda, Coke or whatever. Put the snow ice cream cubes into your root beer and voila, snow ice cream root beer floats.
So I’m printing your recipe out for a great group of Pre-K kids to have handy this weekend. Here in Virginia, we are expected to really get some snow Sunday!
I remember my mom making homemade ice cream when we were kids. It’s been along time, but I’m ready for it.
Thanks
I just made this and it’s good. My son wanted to add coloring and I thought to add maraschino cherries with some juice instead. It made it have a nice flavor and everyone liked it.
Best recipe! Thanks!
I love snow cream.
Fantastic and easy recipe! My first time making snow cream and it was fun and easy! Super glad we could use just regular milk too. My daughter said it is snow cream dream! Yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Just made this with the kids so fun, tastes just like vanilla ice cream !!
I made this earlier today and it was AMAZING!!! I am 13 yrs old and I made this for me and my grandma and we loved it. The flavor was very good and we added some toppings and that was very good. I would say that the snow melted very easily 😂 Definitely trying again!
Just tried just tried this recipe with my husband and son, it was awesome. If you add a scoop of hot cocoa mix to it you can make chocolate! Perfect snowy day snack. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
We made this tonight for Cub Scouts. It was good and easy! We used coconut milk beverage, as that is what my son prefers. I had premeasured the milk and vanilla into a jar. Then I premeasured the sugar and salt and put that in another. So then while we were outside, the kids mixed those two into a bowl. Then I carried the bowl out to some fresh snow :-) and we scooped in the snow.
I had some extra that I brought home and my teenager didn’t like it (with the coconut milk – which did give it a coconuty flavor), but he was inspired to make some with regular dairy milk. He made 1/4 of the recipe, which made a bowl portion for him. It tasted just like “regular” vanilla ice cream. He’s asked if he could make it for dessert every night when we have snow (and we have lots of it at the moment).
Made this with my mom since we got 16.75 inches at the high point. It’s DELICIOUS!!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Perfect! I added a tablespoon of cherry jam!
I love snow cream it is the best my mom makes the best snow cream but never told me how to make it!
I loved this! My little brother, Neighbors, and I all made it this morning and it was so good! (Even I went a little hyper on the sugar though!)
The snow ice craem was realy good and im a 13 year old and haave never had snow ice cream so i just want to thank yall for puting theese wonderfull recipes on here
Couldn’t believe that this was a real recipe.
Thank you for the recipe- it’s been a loong time since I made any and refresh to the memory is useful! My mom usta make snow cream every winter when I was growing up and the years I was I’ll with strep throat she’d sneak and eat some before I got up since I couldn’t have any. In my college years my roomies thought I was daft when I mentioned making it but were believers when they tasted it! Yum!!
Thank you for this recipe. I had forgotten the recipe…70+… My grandchildren loved it! I cut to the chase and simply used sweetened condensed milk to the snow. Thanks again! Making memories with the grands😍
My kids loved this and, I have to admit, it was more delicious than I expected!
I have been making this the last couple of years and adding maraschino cherries with some juice. It gives it some good flavor and color. We finally got enough snow to make some!
I remember my Grandmother making this for me when I was young. We always had to wait for the 2nd snow so it would be clean and we would put pots out to catch the snow. She would add an egg in her recipe, so I am happy to find an egg less recipe. At least until I find a source for fresh eggs. 🥰
first time i made it it tasted so GOSH DARN GOOD but i tried again today it didnt work, tried again again a third time and once again failed =< i don't know wht the heck happened
This was easy to make and really really good! Definitely approved by my 10, 7 and 5 year old! We split the recipe to make 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 vanilla. It was a great treat!
It was so yummy and so easy and so quick and so fun and so inexpensive and so AMAZING!
Love it! Also makes good ice coffee. YUMMY 😋🤤
The ice cream turned out great!!!
My mom always made snow ice cream when I was a kid and I continued with my kids. Sadly it doesn’t snow much in TN anymore.
I made this ice cream in less than 5 minutes with my brother and my sister. I followed the instructions and it came out so good thank you so much! 👍 If anyone reads this I recommend this ice cream!😀
This is amazing.