Paula Deen Snow Ice Cream turns a fresh snowfall into dessert with just three ingredients and ten minutes. Sweetened condensed milk and vanilla are all it takes to feed ten people on a snow day. In the South, where a real snow is rare, this is the kind of recipe that makes the whole neighborhood come outside.
The snow itself is what decides whether this works or not. It has to be clean, freshly fallen, and fluffy. Packed or icy snow turns the whole batch into a grainy, watered down mess. Paula calls for eight cups, so scoop from the top of an untouched drift, not from the ground underneath.
Have your bowls, condensed milk, and vanilla measured out before you step outside. Mix everything the second you bring the snow in, because it melts fast. Leftovers turn to liquid, so serve it right away and eat every last bite.
Paula Deen Snow Ice Cream
Course: DessertCuisine: American, SouthernDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes130
kcalA creamy frozen treat made by folding sweetened condensed milk and vanilla into fresh snow or shaved ice. The mixture comes together in seconds and has a light, slushy texture that melts on your tongue.
Ingredients
8 cups or shaved ice snow
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Mix and serve: Place snow or shaved ice into a large bowl. Pour condensed milk over and add vanilla. Mix to combine. Serve immediately in bowls.
FAQs
Can you use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Evaporated milk is not sweetened, so the result would taste flat. If that is all you have, stir in half a cup of sugar until it dissolves. The texture will be thinner than with condensed milk, but it works in a pinch.
Can you freeze leftover snow ice cream?
It freezes solid into a hard block, not soft ice cream. Snow ice cream is best eaten right after mixing. If you do have leftovers, let them sit on the counter for a few minutes before eating, but the texture will not be the same.
Can you prep the milk and vanilla mixture ahead of time?
Yes, and it helps. Stir the condensed milk and vanilla together in a bowl and keep it on the counter. When the snow is ready, pour the mixture right over and fold it in. It saves time when the snow is melting fast.
What if the snow ice cream comes out too runny?
Too much milk or not enough snow is usually the problem. Add snow a cup at a time until the texture thickens up. You can also set the bowl in the freezer for five minutes to firm it before serving.
Can you use shaved ice from a machine instead of real snow?
Yes, and Paula lists shaved ice as an option right in the recipe. Crushed ice from a blender works too, but shaved ice gives the closest texture to real snow. The finer the ice, the creamier the result.
