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Snow much fun to make, this easy to make Snow Cream recipe will definitely be a hit with the kids on your next snow day. My snow cream recipe (aka snow ice cream) mixes fresh snow, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla, ready in 3 minutes for the ultimate snow-day treat.
Oh man, this brings back such fond memories! My college roommates and I used to make snow ice cream all the time. I had forgotten about it, but now I want to make it with my kids. It’s so fun!
– Cara
Who doesn’t love a snow day? We don’t usually get much snow but I do love a winter wonderland. It’s always the best surprise but once that big snow day turns into days, cabin fever starts to set in. Next time it snows, make this easy wintery treat!
This fun Snow Ice Cream recipe is the ultimate boredom beater and a great break from a day of sledding. It’s a fun recipe made with simple pantry ingredients and takes just a few minutes to make this simple treat. That’s right…3 minutes to be exact!
Kids love adding their favorite toppings and you can even put your favorite spin on this Snow Ice Cream recipe by playing with the flavors.
Homemade Snow Ice Cream is a definitely must on the winter bucket list so make sure you have everything you need before old man winter visits the neighborhood this year.
Ingredients for Snow Ice Cream
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – This is always in my pantry so it works well for snow storms that creep up on you. You can substitute with 2 tablespoons maple syrup, agave syrup or corn syrup but the consistency will be slightly different. If you use an alternate sugar mixture, add 1/2 cup regular milk or heavy cream until the right consistency is achieved.
- Vanilla – Pure Vanilla Extract give the ice cream a pleasant flavor that’s not overly sweet.
- Snow – One big bowl of pure, white, clean, freshly fallen snow. Fluffy snow works best but heavy wet snow works, too.
For a full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
What is Snow Ice Cream?
Snow Ice Cream is ice cream made out of snow. Which isn’t really rocket science since ice cream is really just like snow….but creamier.
Add in sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla for an icy, creamy treat in seconds. Made with simple ingredients in just a few minutes.
How To Make Snow Ice Cream
I used to make Homemade Snow Cream before, like decades or more ago. The easy recipe I used previously called for a bunch of ingredients including granulated sugar. But sugar is weird and takes a long time to dissolve so you had crunchy bits of sugar throughout your already crunchy ice cream.
It didn’t really get to the consistency of a creamy ice cream. It was more like a Milk Snow Cone. No good.
- Chill your ingredients and a large bowl. Put all the ingredients outside to prepare them for your wintery treat. Your snow will melt upon impact of all the room temperature ingredients.
- Go outside and fill a bowl with clean, fresh snow. You’ll need about 10 cups of snow.
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla with a wooden spoon into the bowl of fresh snow until light, fluffy and somewhat creamy and no longer the texture of the snow.
- Add sprinkles, chocolate chips or chocolate sauce or even Magic Shell topping.
- Dig in!
Three ingredient Snow Ice Cream couldn’t be easier to make! Am I right?
Snow Safety and Speed Tips
Serve ASAP: Snow cream is best right after mixing.
Fresh & clean only: Use newly fallen snow from a clean, undisturbed area.
Work quickly: Snow melts fast indoors, have everything ready before mixing.
Chill gear: A cold bowl and spoon buy you extra fluffy minutes.
Snow Cream Variations
- Maple: Swap some condensed milk flavor with 1–2 tablespoons real maple syrup.
- Chocolate swirl: Fold in 2–3 tablespoons chocolate syrup.
- Cocoa cream: Sift 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa over the snow before folding.
- Cookies & cream: Stir in 4–6 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
- Birthday sprinkle: Top with color‑safe sprinkles right before serving.
- Fruity: Ripple in a few spoonfuls of strawberry or raspberry puree.
Dietary Adaptations
- Dairy‑free (rich): Use sweetened condensed coconut milk; flavor and texture are very close to classic.
- Dairy‑free (lighter): Use 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 1/2 cup unsweetened almond/oat milk, then fold to desired texture.
- Lower sugar: Start with 3/4 can condensed milk; add more to taste.
Kellie’s Tips for the Best Snow Cream
- Dig in….and remember….this ice cream is made of snow. It’s not hand churned artisan ice cream made from cream that came from cows living on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
- Use a bowl that’s been chilled. Seriously. Snow melts rapidly once you bring it inside so a cold bowl will be your best friend and your best defense against snow melt. AND chill your ingredients! This will help the whole recipe from turning into a puddle.
- Make sure you pack the snow in a measuring cup, don’t just measure it out all fluffy…it’s going to shrink wildly once you pour the other ingredients into the bowl.
- No yellow snow. And no brown snow for that matter. Oh, and how about no colored snow. Snow should be white. Don’t be adventurous…stick to what nature has dealt us. White means clean, let’s keep it that way.
- Work quickly.….like Gordon Ramsey is your boss man. Work like your hair is on fire and get that stuff mixed up.
Storage and Texture
- Best now: Snow cream is fluffiest immediately after mixing.
- Short freeze: You can freeze leftover snow cream up to 1-2 hours. Expect a firmer, icier texture.
- To refresh: Let sit at room temp for a few minutes, then gently fold in a handful of fresh snow (if available) or a splash of milk to soften.
How To Serve Snow Ice Cream
And if you’re feeling super adventurous….top your easy to make Snow Ice Cream recipe with this Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell! Now if you really had your heart set on some creamy, rich indulgence and the kids have had their fun…may I suggest THIS crazy, insane ice cream or maybe something a bit nutty. 🙂
More Easy Ice Cream Recipes
And if you’re still feeling pretty plain vanilla but have the time to make the real deal…this Vanilla Ice Cream recipe is the BEST EVER. Or, if you’re like me, make this Chocolate Ice Cream….it’s sinfully creamy and decadent. Your choice. Really any homemade ice cream will warm my heart any time of year. Happy Snow Day! Fingers crossed that your kids may not miss another day of school this year.
Want to see what else we’re whipping up in the kitchen? Be sure to follow along over on Instagram!
Snow Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large chilled mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
- spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 10 cups clean white snow
- 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large, cold bowl, mix together the snow, condensed milk and vanilla until the mixture reaches the consistency of ice cream.
- Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer.
Notes
- Dairy‑free: Use sweetened condensed coconut milk, or 2 Tbsp maple syrup + 1/2 cup plant milk.
- Variations: Cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, crushed cookies, fruit puree, color‑safe sprinkles.
- Storage: Best right away; freeze up to 1–2 hours (texture becomes icier). Let soften briefly before serving.
- Chill ingredients and kitchen tools: Be sure to chill the mixing bowl and the ingredients briefly to help create the creamiest ice cream with minimal melting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Use fresh, clean, newly fallen snow collected from a safe, undisturbed surface. Discard any discolored or dirty snow.
The warmth of your kitchen melts snow quickly. Chilling the bowl and folding gently keeps the texture fluffy.
Yes. Try 2 Tbsp maple syrup and 1/2 cup milk (or plant milk), then fold to your favorite texture.
It likely sat too long or too warm. Fold in a little more fresh snow or a splash of cold milk to rebalance.
Even though I haven’t tried this yet, I bet it is yummy!
It really is!
This is such a fun, easy recipe – can’t wait for us to get a big snowstorm now!
Right! You’re in Colorado with all the snow so you’re going to get to make this all winter. 🙂
This is such a great idea to keeping my kiddos entertained on our next snow day! Can’t go wrong with a sweet treat.
It’s soooo fun to make!
This is how you make lemonade from lemons, haha. Way to turn snow into something delicious 🙂
such a fun idea when you’re snowed in!! This makes me excited for winter!! thanks for the recipe
It really is! And it’s pretty tasty, too!
This is so creative! I have never thought about making icecream out of snow!
Oh man, this brings back such fond memories! My college roommates and I used to make snow ice cream all the time. I had forgotten about it, but this makes me want to make it with my kids. It’s so fun!
It is sooo fun! I love that you made it in college!!!
We never made snow ice cream and now I’m bummed we didn’t. This looks so awesome!