A fresh snowfall usually brings out the usual winter joys, but this week it also sparked a social media craze that has left plenty of people grossed out. Across TikTok and Instagram, short clips show creators scooping up clean-looking snow and turning it into a quick dessert often called snow ice cream. The basic idea is simple, gather fluffy snow, stir in sweetened condensed milk, then finish with vanilla extract, whipped cream, or other toppings for a fast, homemade treat.
The videos have pulled in two very different reactions. Some viewers are instantly nostalgic, saying they grew up with a similar snowy-day snack made by parents or grandparents and remember it as a special winter ritual. For them, the appeal is in the spontaneity, the novelty of eating something that exists only for a few cold days a year, and the cozy feeling of making dessert straight from the backyard. Others, though, can’t get past the concept at all, warning that snow is not nearly as pristine as it looks.
The biggest issue is that snow doesn’t arrive in your bowl as a blank, pure ingredient. As it falls, it can collect particles from the air, including soot, smog residue, and other pollutants, along with bacteria and microorganisms. That risk goes up dramatically in cities and near busy roads, where snow is exposed to exhaust, fine dust, salt, and chemicals used to treat streets and sidewalks. Even in quieter areas, once snow hits the ground it can quickly pick up contaminants from shoes, animals, and whatever is on the surface beneath it.
@heybrooklynb I do this every winter! ❄️ #easyrecipe #winter #dessert #snow #fyp ♬ original sound – heybrooklynb
What makes the trend tricky is that the add-ins don’t solve the underlying problem. Sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and vanilla can make the mixture taste like a dreamy shortcut to a milkshake, but they don’t clean the snow. The dessert may look fun on camera, especially when it’s styled in a cute cup with sprinkles, yet the safety question remains the same no matter how pretty the final scoop is.
If the craving is really about a winter treat, there are plenty of ways to capture the vibe without using snow as an ingredient. A quick homemade sorbet, a frozen yogurt bowl, or a classic ice cream topped with crushed cookies can still feel seasonal, especially when enjoyed after sledding or a long walk in the cold. Snow has its best role outdoors anyway, for snowballs, snowmen, and that quiet, bright atmosphere it brings to a neighborhood.
Would you ever try snow ice cream, or is it a hard no for you? Share your take in the comments.
