When it snows in the south it’s time to make snow cream! Images by Katie Inglis
It’s a distinctively southern thang, it really is, when it snows other parts of the country make snowcones with lemonade or 7-up etc and then get out their snow shovels or snow blowers for the season. But in the south, especially on the Outer Banks snow is scarce, when that first snow arrives we make snow cream! If you’ve never tried it, then you don’t know what you are missing. It’s heavenly, and like freshly churned homemade vanilla ice cream, but a little thinner. It’s also fun for kids to make.
WHAT IS SNOW CREAM
Basically snow cream is the yummy result of mixing freshly fallen snow with milk, sugar and vanilla. It’s the most natural ice cream you will ever have, and it’s ready in a jiffy. Traditionally it’s made after the first snowfall in the south.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 1 C Milk (or cream if you happen to have some)
- 1/4 C Sugar
- 1 TBSP Vanilla Essence (if you have coconut or maple essence that is good too)
- 4 C Fresh Snow (collecting it is the fun part) and if it’s fresh and powdery you may need more, but it will taste even better!
- Options: Hundreds and Thousands, also known as sprinkles (if you have little ones)
WHAT TO DO
If you put your mixing spoons into the freezer before you begin the snow won’t melt as quickly. This is a kid friendly recipe, and it’ll be a fond-memory maker that they will cherish when they are grown.
- Mix or whisk together the milk, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Drop four cups of clean snow into the cream mixture – slowly – a little bit at a time.
- Stir.
- Scoop up with mugs or cups and enjoy.
VARIATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS
- Sweetened Condensed Milk. Just substitute this for everything in the original ingredient list, the milk, the sugar and the vanilla.
- Substitute Maple Syrup instead of the sugar in the original mix.
- Substitute Coconut Cream for the milk and vanilla.
- Special Variation – make a copycat “Orange Julius” by adding a 1/4 C Orange Juice or Orange Juice Concentrate to the original mixture.
Trivia: Did you know the Orange Julius has been around since 1936 and was the official drink of the New York World’s Fair in 1964.
GROWN-UP SNOWCOCKTAILS
NO SNOW NO WORRIES
If you find yourself with no snow try Mayfield Creamery Snow Cream ® from your local grocery store. Mayfield Creamery says it has a “Genuine Southern Homemade Taste: If there’s one thing that’s sacred in the South, it’s a good recipe…
The Southern Way: Slowing down to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors over a bowl of creamy Mayfield ice cream has been a beloved tradition for generations of southern families. We sincerely hope that celebrating life’s special moments with Mayfield becomes a part of your family’s traditions.
Snow Cream: Inspired by a southern tradition of celebrating the year’s first snowfall by filling a bowl with freshly fallen snow. milk. sugar and flavoring with vanilla. Brings out the kid in all of us.”
WEIRD SCIENCE
Is it true that no two snow crystals are alike?
The probability that two snow crystals (a single ice crystal) or flakes (a snow crystal or multiple snow crystals stuck together) will be exactly alike in molecular structure and in appearance, is very minute. And to prove otherwise would not be easy. Each winter there are about 1 septillion (1, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 or a trillion trillion) snow crystals that drop from the sky!
Source: Library of Congress Climatology page.
YOUR HOME AT THE BEACH
It’s rare to get snow here on the Outer Banks, so when we do it’s a real treat and one great big huge snow day across these barrier islands. If you’re interested in making the Outer Banks your home, or second home, SAGA Realty & Construction can build any of our beautiful home plans on your site or in one of our communities. Call us to find out more at 252-301-3090, email sales@homesbysaga.com or click the link below.