It may seem odd that on a preparedness blog we are talking about the Winter Weather Treat of Snow Cream.  To be sure, preparedness is our main goal, but making good use of time and resources also applies to living with what life hands you and making the best out of a potentially uncomfortable situation.

When live gives you lemons, make lemonade – when winter gives you an abundance of snow, make snow cream!

As winter weather continues to keep spring at bay, it may seem as if there is nothing to do, especially on those days when new snow drifts keep you inside the house. Here is a fun, old-fashioned and delicious way to beat boredom as well as a unique way to prepare candy.

Making maple snow candy is perhaps most famous from it’s description in the Little House on the Prairie series. Here’s what you’ll need for your own maple snow candy:

• A large cooking container. I used a soup pot but you can use any bowl or pot large enough to pour your syrup into.
• A medium saucepan for melting the syrup in
• Mixing spoon
• Maple syrup, the darker the syrup the more maple flavor the candy will have.
• Of course, the most important ingredient of all, snow!

First, go outside and find a clean patch of snow. The further away from a city you live the easier this will be. Fill your pot up to the very top and leave it just outside your door. This allows you to work quickly once the syrup is heated but also keeps it from getting too frozen as it would if you put it in the freezer.

Next, take your maple syrup and pour it into a medium saucepan. Make sure you cover the bottom of your saucepan with syrup. Place the saucepan onto the stove on medium. Stirring constantly, wait until the syrup bubbles and fluffs up to twice its original size, so that it looks more like honeycomb candy than syrup. It should also lighten to a pale brown taffy color.

Then, go grab your snow container. Working quickly, pour the syrup on top of the snow. You can make patterns and shapes or just simply drizzle it.

Let it set for about 45 seconds to a minute. At this point the boiling hot syrup will be barely warm to the touch and firm enough to pick up and eat.

Enjoy the delicious maple candy, which is as much fun to eat as it is to make.

Kathleen-June G. Horne is a survival enthusiast and amateur outdoors-woman. She graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2015 with a degree in business and has written two books, a historical young adult novel entitled “The Sparrow’s Call” and a Christmas devotional, “24 Days of Devotion“. She was homeschooled until college, and used her free time to learn all she could about all the things people used to know. She runs the blog Miniskirts & Margins which is about fashion, her Southern Baptist faith and the adventures she runs into.

Listen to this podcast to get to know Kathleen-June G. Horne a bit better!

Popular Questions

How can I make snow cream during winter?

To make snow cream, start by gathering fresh, clean snow in a large container. Then, mix in ingredients like milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to create a creamy texture. Stir until well combined and enjoy this delightful winter treat right away, as it’s best served fresh. This simple recipe is a fun way to make the most of snowy days!

What ingredients do I need for making maple snow candy?

For maple snow candy, you will need maple syrup and a clean patch of snow. Heat the syrup in a saucepan until it bubbles and thickens, then quickly pour it over the snow to create candy shapes. Let it set for a minute before enjoying this sweet treat. It's a nostalgic way to enjoy winter while being resourceful!

Is snow cream safe to eat?

Yes, snow cream can be safe to eat as long as you use clean, fresh snow and avoid areas that may be contaminated. Make sure to gather snow away from roads and other potential pollutants. By following these precautions, you can enjoy this winter weather treat without worry. Just remember to consume it shortly after making it for the best taste and texture!

What are some variations of snow cream I can try?

You can experiment with different flavors in your snow cream by adding ingredients like cocoa powder, fruit purees, or flavored extracts. For a richer taste, consider using sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk. These variations can make your snow cream unique and cater to different taste preferences. Enjoy getting creative with this winter treat!