The idea for this recipe was sent to us by Shirley M. of Northfield, Ohio. She had e-mailed Ernie a few weeks ago and reminisced about how her mother would treat the kids to ice cream snowballs back in the 50’s. Shirley described them as “vanilla ice cream coated with coconut, they had a little holly on the top with a small red candle.” Her mother bought them and several years later Shirley would buy them for her daughter, but she hasn’t been able to find ice cream snowballs for sale in many years.
We did some poking around and discovered a product from yesteryear called “Flaming Ice Cream Snow Balls.” At right is a photo. That’s more than likely the snowballs Shirley had as a child.
Flaming ice cream snow balls might not be available in stores, but it seems one could probably make ice cream snowballs at home, even though they’ll never be as good as the ones mom used to bring home. With that, here’s our attempt at an ice cream snowball recipe:
INGREDIENTS
• Vanilla ice cream
• Shredded coconut
• Garnish (holly, mint, candles)
DIRECTIONS: Scoop several balls of ice cream onto a baking sheet and place in freezer until solid. The balls can be any size you’d like. You can use a melon baller or you can create larger snowballs with your hands (that could be fun).
Some baking sheets might not fit in a freezer, especially a freezer that’s already full of ice cream so feel free to place the ice cream balls on something smaller. Remove from freezer and roll in coconut. Re-freeze until ready to serve. Garnish with holly or mint and a candle (optional).
TODAY’S PRIZE: The Spaghetti Ice Cream Maker. According to the company’s website, the Spaghetti Ice Cream Maker comes with three attachments that allow you to make spaghetti-shaped ice cream, lasagna ice cream and, dare we say, asparagus-shaped ice cream? Some parents will try anything to get kids to eat their “vegetables.”
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
I also remember my mom buying these. In the 60’s the holly was made wih a green soft frosting that would melt in your mouth. Later in the 70’s I remember Formost made them with plastic holly. I was looking for a recipe for the holly frosting snow balls.
I loved seeing the photo you displayed on your site. My family has been serving these as a New Year’s Eve tradition for more than 50 years. My Dad grew up in the Children’s Home of Cincinnati, OH. Each Christmas Eve, the children there would be served this ice cream treat which at the time was made by United Dairy Farmers. They quit making these about 35 years ago (I inquired at their home office.) So, we have continued the tradition on our own. Four generations of our family from eight different states now experience the delight of a little burning candle atop a “snowball!” We promised my father we would continue the tradition. It’s a great way to think of each other and remember him on Christmas Eve.
I found these this year! They are still made by Specialty Desserts.
We are outside of Phila.
My story is about Christmas Eve with my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was an avid fisherman and my Mom’s family always had flounder, shellfish etc. for endless dinners. My mother was so tired of fish that she never prepared it for us. Anyway, at Christmas Eve dinner he always got a martini glass filled w/ice and shrimp and we had the flaming snowballs. At night we burned the bayberry candles for good luck.
My daughter just had one at age 18 and said “the ice cream is good but why do you have to flame it”? I said: “Beats me”.
My family also has had the tradition of making Christmas Snowballs. Our tradition originated in my Mother’s childhood in the 1920’s. Our family would top the snowballs rolled in coconut with a sugar cube that had lemon extract sprinkled onto it. After serving the snowballs we light the cubes. I do like your tiny red candles and holly and will use that presentation too.