Easy Snow Ice Cream Recipe

4.84 from 6 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Easy snow ice cream is such a fun recipe for cold winter months, and you only need four ingredients: evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, and fresh snow!

If you live somewhere with snow, this simple sweet treat will be everything to you (and your kids) and will get you through to warmer months!

white bowl with snow cream and sprinkles
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Easy Snow Ice Cream Recipe

Have you ever heard of making ice cream out of snow? It’s so fun and simple to do, and it’s one of my family’s favorite winter activities after a big snowstorm! My mom used to make this for us when we were growing up, so I’ve always been fond of this creative hack for making ice cream.

And the best part? All you need is some evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, and the star of the show: fresh snow! Stir the first three ingredients together, mix in the snow, and you have a delicious vanilla treat that only takes about 5 minutes to make. How easy is that?!

My kids were totally amazed the first time I showed them this easy recipe (extra mom points for the win)! I remember being stunned watching my mom make it, too, and she’d let us sit around the bar and eat ice cream straight out of the giant white bowl she mixed it up in! It’s become a winter tradition for us over the years, and I’m excited for you to give it a try, too.

Quick and Easy Snow Ice Cream - 4 ingredients and 5 minutes! Milk sugar and vanilla poured over snow to make snow cream.

Tips and Tricks for Making Snow Ice Cream:

  • The texture of your snow will affect how much is needed to make your ice cream. Wet, heavy Indiana snow will need less than light and powdery Utah snow.
  • Add your milk mixture a little at a time and stir often. The texture of the snow ice cream is just right when it reminds you of homemade ice cream right out of the churn. It will be just a little on the thin side like a milkshake.
  • This is such a simple recipe – let the kids help and make it just because!
  • Long live all the cute sprinkles.
wooden spoon scooping vanilla snow ice cream

What is snow ice cream?

Snow ice cream is just like it sounds. It’s ice cream made of snow (and 3 other key ingredients)! It’s traditionally a Southern treat and I grew up eating it as a kid after big snowstorms. It makes a snow day all the more fun when you get this cold, creamy treat.

How to make snow ice cream:

In a small bowl, mix the milk, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined. In a large bowl, add about 8-10 cups of snow. Pour the milk mixture over the top and stir well to combine. The texture will be close to that of homemade ice cream (thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped). Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you’d like.

Is it safe to eat snow?

Yep, it’s generally safe to eat snow but you’ll want to make sure it’s fresh snow, typically right after a snow storm. Make sure it’s bright white — if it’s colored in any way, then it’s contaminated by dirt, animals, or something else.

What is snow ice cream made of?

I love how simple snow ice cream is! It’s made using only four ingredients: evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, and snow! Evaporated milk will make it nice and creamy, while sugar sweetens it and vanilla gives it that nutty vanilla bean flavor you love in vanilla ice cream. Most of us have these ingredients already, so when you are snowed in you can still make a treat without having to go to the store.

How much snow do you need for snow ice cream?

The amount of snow really depends on the texture of the snow itself. Mine was extra wet and heavy when I made this, and about 8 cups were perfect. If your snow is drier and fluffier, you may want to add quite a bit more. The taste and texture should be your guide — it should be thinner than store-bought ice cream, but still have some structure when scooped. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra snow as needed.

how to make snow ice cream how to image
snow ice cream in a dish with colored sprinkles
4.84 from 6 votes

Quick and Easy Snow Ice Cream

This snow ice cream recipe is made with just 4 ingredients: fresh snow, evaporated milk, a little sugar & vanilla. Four ingredients never tasted so good!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 5 cups

Ingredients 

  • 1 can evaporated milk, (12 ounces) or 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Bowl of Snow, about 1/2 gallon

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mix the milk, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined.
  • In a large bowl, add about 8-10 cups of snow. Pour the milk mixture over the top and stir well to combine. The texture will be close to that of homemade ice cream (thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped).
  • Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you'd like.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 5 cups, Calories: 157kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 0.01g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g, Cholesterol: 0.1mg, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 3mg, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 0.5IU, Vitamin C: 0.004mg, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 0.02mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
This snow ice cream recipe is made with just 4 ingredients: fresh snow, evaporated milk, a little sugar & vanilla. Four ingredients never tasted so good! #snowcream #snow #icecream #DIYicecream #sugaronsnow #homemadeicecream #easyhomemadeicecream
This snow ice cream recipe is made with just 4 ingredients: fresh snow, evaporated milk, a little sugar & vanilla. Four ingredients never tasted so good! #snowcream #snow #icecream #DIYicecream #sugaronsnow #homemadeicecream #easyhomemadeicecream

Other Ice Cream Dessert Recipes you’ll love:

Here are a few other snowy day desserts you might like:

This snow ice cream recipe is a delight to make after a big snowfall, and you’ll love how easy, sweet, and tasty it is, especially with all your favorite ice cream toppings!

About Melissa

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. I haven’t made this specific recipe but I know it will be wonderful. I grew up in Tennessee where we don’t get a lot of snow so, Snow Cream was a treat. Thank you for posting! I will make this recipe with our first good snow.