The best parts of winter are holiday celebrations, cozy fires, hot chocolate and snow. Yes—snow! While we don’t love shoveling snow, it sure makes things look beautiful. And we recently learned that a fresh snow is also the key ingredient in a wintry treat you really can’t get any other time of year—snow ice cream.
What Is Snow Ice Cream?
It’s exactly what it sounds like—ice cream made out of fresh snow. It sounds super simple, because it is. But that doesn’t make it any less delicious. Just a quick search on TikTok or Instagram will show how popular it is!
@christmas.blissSnow ice cream! ❄️🍦#christmas #holidayszn #HolidayTikTok♬ Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
It also sounds like every family has a snow cream recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Instagram user @freewheelinfoodies shared that she used to make this sweet treat with her grandma:
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We love that this trend is also a family tradition!
How to Make Snow Ice Cream
The morning after a snowfall, scoop up the freshest snow you can find. Next, add a little bit of sugar and vanilla extract and mix with the snow until it’s combined. Finally, add the toppings of your choice. We love a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk and colorful sprinkles, but there are tons of options to try.
Instagram user @green_mountain_mom recommends eggnog and maple syrup, while @joyfultinkering uses chocolate syrup for an extra sweet treat. @mustloveherbs reminds us that the mixture can also be frozen to create a firmer texture. “Not all snows are created equally and some may need more liquid while others need less. Adjust accordingly!”
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It’s hard to believe that we had no idea snow cream was even a thing, but now that we’ve learned about it—we’re all in! While you wait for a fresh snowfall, try these homemade ice cream recipes.
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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Sauce
Pumpkin pie is the perfect southern comfort food that everyone has on their table at the holidays, but truthfully, I want those cozy flavors any time of year. This ice cream has just the right balance of spices and no matter when you make it, you'll find yourself surrounded in the warmth and love that pumpkin pie has to offer. —Angie Forester, Memphis, Tennessee
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
After sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
Raspberry Ice Cream in a Bag
Making homemade ice cream is fun for the whole family, and the fresh raspberry flavor of this treat makes it a perfect summer activity. Kids can shake the bags until the liquid changes to ice cream and then enjoy the reward! —Erin Hoffman, Canby, Minnesota
Almond Butter Swirl Ice Cream
Warm weather days require ice cream! However, dealing with dairy intolerances can be tricky. This dairy-free recipe is a favorite at our house, especially with kids! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Toasted Hazelnut and Chocolate Ice Cream
The flavors in this ice cream take me back to European vacations I've enjoyed in the past. I am a big hazelnut fan, and who doesn't like chocolate? I've been caught red-handed eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon! —Laura Majchrzak, Hunt Valley, Maryland
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Paprika & Agave
Pair this rich and creamy ice cream with a cup of hot or iced coffee. It's mildly sweet with a hint of paprika. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Gelato
On a recent trip to Italy, I became addicted to gelato. My favorite choice was lemon because Italian lemons have an intense flavor. This recipe brings back memories of our vacation. —Gail Wang, Troy, Michigan
Georgia Peach Ice Cream
My state is well known for growing good peaches. This delicious recipe has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice Cream
No matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Blueberry Ice Cream
The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Old-Time Custard Ice Cream
I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and the perfect indulgence on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice Cream
This sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries in place of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Rhubarb Ice Cream
You don't need an ice cream freezer to make this rich refreshing treat. Years ago, we had a big rhubarb patch. A neighbor who knew I loved ice cream shared this recipe with me. —Jan Douglas, Dent, Minnesota
Pink Peppercorn and Sake Ice Cream
There's plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You'll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream
I made this for my daughter's birthday, and everyone at the party declared it the best ice cream they had ever tasted. I certainly appreciated their high praise. —Mary Ann Hansen, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Lavender Peach Gelato
This sophisticated herbal gelato can be served as an appetizer, a palate-pleaser between courses or a dessert that tastes like heaven on a spoon. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Buttermilk Peach Ice Cream
My mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Ice Cream
Everyone loves a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, so we decided to make a cool and creamy ice-cream version. We're thrilled with the result. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Corn Ice Cream
You have to give this novel ice cream a try. It’s actually made with corn, sweetly flavored by vanilla extract and maple syrup. I plan to make this surprising treat every summer.—Diana Burrink, Crete, Illinois
Red Curry-Pandan Ice Cream
The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Butterfinger Ice Cream
Add Butterfingers to this icy, creamy combination, and you get a no-fail sweet everyone will love. —Tammy Drost, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Chocolate Crunch Ice Cream
Making ice cream goes smoothly when you do prep work in advance. I make the custard ahead and refrigerate it overnight. Plus, I toast the almonds beforehand and separate my add-ins into labeled containers. —Rosalie Peters, Caldwell, Texas
Makeover Raspberry Ice Cream
There's even more to love in this fruity ice cream, thanks to a few tweaks. With the original’s creaminess and 30 percent fewer calories, this makeover is a stone-cold success! —Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream
The third U.S. president is credited with jotting down the first American recipe for this treat. No vanilla bean on hand? Substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean. Just stir the extract into the cream mixture after the ice-water bath. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Ice Cream
This recipe really captures the flavor of fall. It's good with or without the gingersnaps.
Contest-Winning Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Light and refreshing, this dreamy, creamy dessert is perfect for steamy afternoons. Great for scooping into cones, the frozen fluff won't melt as fast as regular ice cream. Change up the recipe with a variety of frozen berries or fruits. —Debra Goforth, Newport, TennesseeThe post This Is How to Make Snow Ice Cream with Fresh Snow appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lauren Naru