How to Make Snow Ice Cream

Newly fallen snow can be not only beautiful to look at, but a delicious treat as well. Ice cream can be made from snow using a few simple ingredients. When you are stuck inside during a snow storm, why not whip up some snow ice cream to pass the time and fill your belly?

The fresher the snow, the better. The less time the snow has been sitting means that it has had less chance of getting contaminated. Remember the old adage - avoid yellow snow.

Also, don't eat the snow from the first snowfall of the season. Snow cleans the atmosphere as it comes down. The first snowfall has collected all the dirt particles that have been hanging around in the air.

If it is still snowing, you can place a large bowl on your porch to collect the snow as it falls.

If it has stopped snowing, or you didn't think that far ahead, you can gather the snow that has already fallen. Make sure the snow is deep enough that you can gather it without gathering dirt as well. Typically, you need about half a foot of snow or more to have enough clean snow to make the ice cream.

To gather the snow, get a big bowl or bucket and a spoon or scoop. Try to find snow on top of cars or on porch rails. Avoid high traffic areas and places where someone may have walked. Fill the bowl and bring the snow inside to mix the other ingredients.

Approximate prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla flavoring
• Approximately 1 gallon of snow
• 2 cups of milk (condensed milk may be substituted)
• 1 egg (optional)

Add the sugar, vanilla flavoring, and milk together in a large bowl. Stir the ingredients until well mixed.

Begin adding the snow slowly making sure it is mixed thoroughly with the other ingredients. More sugar can be added to taste. A blender works best for this process, but mixing by hand can also do the job.

Sweetened condensed milk can be substituted for a creamier taste. Adding a raw egg will also give it more flavor and is the way that snow cream was traditionally made. But raw eggs can carry salmonella, so keep that in mind if you decide to add it in. My family always added eggs and none of us ever got sick from it.

When the desired texture is reached, the ice cream is ready to eat. It can be refrigerated or frozen for awhile if it has become too melted indoors.

For added flavor, substitute chocolate milk or even eggnog for regular milk. You can also use use almond flavoring. Or add in chocolate chips, nuts, or cinnamon. Fresh fruit can also be delicious. Caramel syrup and sprinkles can be fun toppings.