Snow Cream: yummy treat for a snow day!

Here is a yummy treat that the kids can help make!  First you need fresh snow, yes, SNOW!  The best is to get snow that has fallen after the first hour so that the dust and pollutants are out of the air as much as possible.  Then of course you need a "clean" area: an area where dogs, etc. have not been.  It is also best to avoid tree areas where birds may have been!

I usually pick out the area and then send the kids with a large bowl!

There are several recipes on the internet, but we like Paula Deen's the best.  We also like to just make vanilla and then have people add toppings if they want.  You know your family best, you can use different extracts.

Here is the direct link to the recipe from Food Network - Paula Deen's Snow Cream

8 cups of snow
1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour ingredients into large bowl of snow and stir!

The kids usually fill the bowl and put it on the front porch until we are ready.  Then once everyone is dry, warm and happy I get the ingredients on the table.  The snow comes in last!  They usually have brought too much snow so I just dump some in the sink.  You really don't have to worry about measuring with this recipe. I punch holes in the can lid and have a child slowly pour it over the bowl while I stir.  I also use about 1 tablespoon of vanilla.

The best snow we have had for this has been in Denver, CO - much drier snow...in NC we had to work fast because the snow was so wet.  It made a creamier snow cream, but the Denver snow cream had a great texture too!

Serve in bowls and enjoy!

I added Wilton red sugar sprinkles and a cherry to mine!