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HOW TO MAKE SNOW CONES

Icy snow cone are a childhood staple but also a fun treat for adults. There’s nothing quite like enjoying that refreshing crunch on a hot summer day. With just a few simple ingredients and a little crushed ice, you can recreate this nostalgic summertime treat in your kitchen.

Keep reading to learn how to make snow cones in only a few easy steps, what makes a snow cone different than shave ice and we’ll explore a few ways to elevate this classic frozen treat.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING SNOW CONES

Someone garnishing a red snow cone with basil. The snow cone is topped with pomegranates, strawberries and dragon fruit. There is a similar snow cone next to it. In the background are chopped strawberries on a cutting board, half of a dragon fruit and a bowl of pomegranates.

Snow cones are the ideal treat for kids. Not only do they love it but it's typically a healthier alternative to other frozen desserts. 

By learning how easy it is to make snow cones, you can get creative and add your twists to the traditional recipe.

THE INGREDIENTS1 YOU NEED INCLUDE:

  • Crushed Ice
  • Flavoured syrups
  • Toppings like small candies or sprinkles

GATHER THESE TOOLS:

1. Exact type and ingredient amounts will vary by taste or by recipe

PREP TIME 

You will need roughly 3 hours for the ice to freeze.

PREPARATION TIPS

The trick to making the best snow cones is to ensure that every ingredient is extremely cold prior to assembling.

  • SYRUP: Prepare your syrups in advance and let them completely cool in the fridge. This way they won’t melt the ice. You should also chill any store-bought syrups.
  • ICE: If you’re using ice from an ice maker, you can freeze the ice after it’s been dispensed so that it’s even harder and colder.
    PRO TIP

    TYPE OF ICE

    If your fridge has an ice and water dispenser, you should use the crushed ice feature as this will give you a head start on making snow cones. 

    You should further crush the ice by putting it in a clean plastic bag and then hitting it with a rolling pin. Or you could opt to use a blender or food processor.

    Explore KitchenAid brand’s line of refrigerators with exterior water and ice dispensers.

  • MAKE TIME - 5 minutes
    Crushing ice and making and/or chilling the syrups are the most time-consuming parts. Assembling a snow cone should take no time at all. In only 5 minutes or less, create a delicious snow cone for family and friends or just for yourself to enjoy.
Someone pouring a yellow syrup on a snow cone in a bowl. A similar snow cone is next to it.

STEP 1: MAKE AND CHILL SYRUPS 
You only need a few minutes to make a flavoured syrup. Start by cooking a base of simple syrup (water and sugar) mixed with the chopped fruits of your choosing on the stovetop. 

After the mixture has sufficiently thickened, use a KitchenAid® Blender to purée it and then strain it. Another option is to boil fruit juice with a bit of sugar until it achieves the consistency of a syrup. Think about what flavourings you want to use, like vanilla, honey, ginger or cinnamon. Coffee syrups or liqueurs are a great way to make a more “adult” snow cone. Snow cone syrups and toppings let you get creative and play with different flavour combos.

The last step is to use a funnel to pour the cooled liquids into squeeze bottles. Cool the syrups until they are chilled.

STEP 2: GET YOUR SNOW CONE STATION READY
To work efficiently, set up your station before assembling so that you’re ready to go. If you’re working with paper cups, place them in ice cream cone holders to keep them steady and upright. If you’re feeling fancy, use stemless wine glasses and garnishes with something colourful.

STEP 3: CRUSH ICE
You’ll need about ½ cup of crushed ice per serving. If you’re hand-crushing, you should try to finely crush the ice, eliminating every chunk or larger piece. A smart idea is to finish crushing the ice in a food processor or blender so that the shards are smaller and uniform. You also need to keep the ice as cold as possible, but if you’re not around a fridge, place the ice in a cooler or ice bucket as you make your cones.

Blenders are great for crushing ice. The KitchenAid® K150 3 Speed Ice Crushing Blender can crush ice in under 10 seconds2. Only select KitchenAid® Blenders have an ice crush setting.

2. Half tray of ice.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE A SNOW CONE CUP
Scoop enough ice into a cup or bowl and splash about a tablespoon or two of syrup to soak the ice. Add a touch more ice, a little more syrup and then garnish with tiny candies or sprinkles.

That’s it! Now, you’ve got a snow cone to enjoy!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SNOW CONES AND SHAVE ICE

Someone catching shave ice in a bowl being made from a red KitchenAid Stand Mixer.

Snow cones and shave ice (sometimes called shaved ice) have a lot of similarities. They are both frozen treats made with ice, sweet syrups and/or other toppings. 

Shave ice originated in Hawaii and that version has a different texture of ice than snow cones. The ice in snow cones is crunchier whereas shave ice is finer, fluffier and resembles actual snow.

The “snow” in many shaved ice treats is typically shaved or scraped from a large ice block. The fluffier snow-like texture of this frozen treat absorbs and holds the syrup throughout so that every bite is delightfully sweet.

Some see shave ice as the more sophisticated cousin of the snow cone. Frozen desserts that use shave ice can be found all over the world. The Raspado, for instance, is the Latin version of this dessert and is topped with regional fruits and sometimes even chile flavours. Bingsu, a Korean shave ice treat, is topped with chopped fruit, sweetened condensed milk and red beans. And, of course, there’s Italian Ice made with shave ice, fruit and other sweet flavourings.

SHOP KITCHENAID®SHAVE ICE ATTACHMENT

Take a variety of desserts and drinks to the next level with the KitchenAid® Shave Ice Attachment. It connects to your KitchenAid® Stand Mixer and can whip up fluffy, snow-like shaved ice – ready for your most creative syrups, sauces and toppings.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer with Shave Ice Attachment. A bowl filled with shave ice is under the attachment.

OTHER POPULAR FROZEN TREATS

A light blue KitchenAid Stand Mixer with Shave Ice Attachment on a counter. Also on the counter are bowls of toppings, half a watermelon, a container of milk and several containers of syrup (brown, red and orange)

Several popular frozen treats are a breeze to create. Granita is an elegant Italian frozen dessert that you can make by hand. To make a batch, blend fresh fruit and water, freeze the mixture, flake with a fork or bench scraper and freeze again. Don’t forget, you can quickly make ice cream and slushies with a KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment or a blender.

For an icy Asian-inspired treat, try making a Thai Tea Ice Cream with the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment or a refreshing Tropical Fruit Slushie in a KitchenAid® Blender.

All of these are perfect for that warm summer evening!

SHOP KITCHENAID® STAND MIXERS, ATTACHMENTS, BLENDERS AND MORE

It doesn’t matter if you’re crushing ice for a snow cone or churning cream and sugar into refreshing ice cream, KitchenAid brand has everything you need to make a truly creative dessert. Enjoy the possibilities without leaving your home with KitchenAid brand’s Stand Mixer and Stand Mixer Attachments.

STAND MIXERS ATTACHMENTS