The Best 2-Ingredient Snow Cream to Make This Winter

Snow Cream is a favorite to make in our house every winter. My mother taught me how to make snow cream, and y’all it’s so easy. You only need 2 ingredients to make it—and one of them is snow!

Snow Cream

As a child, I remember every time it snowed Mama would be on the back porch lightly scraping off the top layer of snow from the surface of the handrails or anywhere else that she could gather some clean snow.

She’d use the snow to make snow cream. And we loved it so much!

Now, my Great Grandma Light was kind of obsessed with snow cream. And that’s not an understatement!

She would probably fall into the classification of a snow hoarder.

She’d gather up every tupperware and empty cool whip and margarine bowl she could muster up, and work outside like she was harvesting corn or something.

She was a farmer in her younger years, and her farming instincts really came out when it snowed!

She’d get all she could from her property, and then go knocking on the neighbor’s doors to see if they minded if she took some from their surfaces.

Then, she’d pile 20 something bowls of snow in the freezer for snow cream making later.

I make my snow cream the same way they both did, but odd thing is, I don’t know anyone else who makes it the same as we do!

So, for those of you who don’t do the two-ingredient method, I just had to share.  It seriously can’t be beat.

What is Snow Cream?

Snow cream is a southern tradition that turns a fresh snowfall into an easy to make dessert.

It’s a bit like making homemade ice cream, but using fluffy snow as the base instead.

When the first snow of the season covers the ground, my kids go out to gather some fresh clean snow, and I whip up a batch of homemade snowcream!

Why You’ll Love Snow Cream

• It’s a Southern Tradition: Making homemade snowcream is a classic fun recipe that brings families together on a snowy day. It’s a fun way to turn a fresh snowfall into something delicious, just like folks have done for generations.
• Uses Simple Ingredients: This snowcream recipe only needs two ingredients.
• Perfect for a Snow Day: When there’s enough snow outside, grab a big ole bowl and scoop up fresh clean snow from the top layer.
• Tastes Like Homemade Ice Cream: The soft, creamy texture of homemade snow ice cream is a fun take on traditional ice cream. It’s lighter than store-bought ice cream, but tastes so good!
• Creates Sweet Memories: I’ve got so many memories of making homemade snow cream! Kids love it so much, and you’ll be creating wonderful childhood memories.

Best Tips for Gathering Snow

Finding the best snow for making homemade snow cream is all about keeping it clean and fresh. Here’s how to make sure you’re gathering the perfect snow.

1. First things first, wait for a fresh snowfall. The top layer of fluffy snow is always the cleanest. Make sure there’s been enough snow to cover the ground thoroughly. A light dusting won’t do—it needs to be a big snow to get a good bowl of fresh snow.
2. Head to an open area, away from trees, roads, or spots where people or animals have been. This keeps the snow as pristine as possible. No one wants to deal with yellow snow or other unpleasant surprises!
3. Use a large bowl to collect the snow. Scoop gently to avoid picking up dirt or leaves. The texture of the snow matters too. Fluffy snow makes for lighter, creamier homemade snow ice cream, while packed snow can create a denser dessert.
4. You CAN store the gathered snow in a freezer until you are ready to make snow cream.

Snow Cream Ingredients

• Fresh clean snow: I rarely measure my snow; I just grab a large bowl and pack it in. I use about 6-8 cups of snow in one batch of snow cream. You can measure it, or just grab a large bowl and fill it up like I do.  It’s pretty hard to mess up!
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Using sweetened condensed milk allows you to skip all the other ingredients normally found in homemade icecream.

How to Make Snow Cream

1. Gather the Snow: Add the snow to a large bowl with room to stir and mix.
2. Add Condensed Milk: Pour a 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk into your large bowl of snow.
3. Stir It Up Really Good:  Don’t worry, you’re it’s supposed to shrink a little bit.  Sometimes I also add a little drizzle of vanilla extract, but it’s completely optional.
4. Taste and See: Now, taste it.  If it’s too sweet for your liking – add a little more snow.
5. Serve & Enjoy: Eat it right away for best flavor and texture.

Adjusting the Texture

The amount of snow you use can change the texture:

• If you want it lighter, like soft snow cream ice cream, add less snow.
• For a firmer, fluffier texture, mix in much snow and stir until it comes together.
• If the mixture feels too sweet, add a bit more snow to balance the flavor.

Can I Make It Ahead of Time?

It’s best to make snow cream when you’re ready to eat it. However, you CAN stockpile fresh snow and freeze it until you are ready to enjoy a bowl of snowcream!

Variations & Add-ins

• Chocolate: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or mix in chocolate chips. For a richer chocolate flavor, stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder along with the sweetened condensed milk.
• Maple: Add in some pure maple syrup for some extra sweetness and maple flavor.
• Caramel Sauce: My homemade caramel sauce is so good over snowcream!
• Tropical Snow Cream: Mix in a splash of coconut or pineapple juice for some tropical flavors. Add shredded coconut or small chunks of fruit, such as pineapple to top it off.
• Spiced Snow Cream: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin spice to the milk mixture before mixing it into the snow.

With just a big bowl of freshly fallen snow and one other ingredient, you can make it with your family! This fun recipe is so easy that even little kids can join in, making it a fun activity for the whole family.

The next time you wake up to a good snow, grab a wooden spoon and whip up this simple dessert.

It’s more than just an easy recipe—it’s a reminder to savor the simple things during the cold winter months!

Print Pin

2 Ingredient Snow Cream

Ingredients

• 1 large bowl's worth of snow about 6-8 cups
• 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• ½ - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix together the snow with the sweetened condensed milk. Stir in the vanilla extract if using. Taste - add more snow if the mixture is too sweet for your liking. Serve immediately, or freeze in an airtight freezer safe covered bowl for later.