Snow Day Adventures: Maple Syrup Snow Candy

I've wanted to make snow candy ever since reading Little House on the Prairie as a tiny person. Mom and I never managed to make this on our snow days when I was a kid, I guess we stuck to mac'n'cheese and making snowflakes and fleece hats. Thanks, Martha!

Our sweet neighbor's rotund squirrel friend

Finally, I did! This is so much fun and perfect way to play in the 14.5" of snow in our back yard. We've had a huge pile of snow in the last 48 hours here in the Kansas and I'm sure there are lots of parents wondering just what to do on their second snow day in a row.

Wait, what? Snow days? What are those? We've barely had any moisture here, let alone feet of snow. Kansas is really making up for lost time.

Stake out some fresh snow and get bundled up before you start in the kitchen and you'll have snow candy before you know it. You can always pile up some fresh snow in a bowl or on a large plate, just be sure to leave it outside to stay cold. Grab those kids, your neighbors, or grandma and go play!

Maple Syrup Snow Candy:
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons salted butter

In a small sauce pan, bring syrup and butter to a boil. Continue boiling until the mixture reaches 236 degrees F. Allow the boiling to subside before heading outside with a plate.

Slowly drizzle the maple mixture onto the snow, making any design you want. Allow the candy to cool and set up in the snow. Make a few snowballs while you wait.

Pull the candy out of the snow and set on the plate. Launch those snowballs you made.

Bring the candy inside and set out on wax paper. Go back outside and throw some more snowballs. Come back inside and peel off a piece for yourself. At first it will seem sticky, but will quickly melt in your mouth. Eat it up quickly before it begins to settle and soften. There's no shame in scraping it up with a spoon.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, drizzle this over homemade snow ice cream. Real maple syrup a little rough on your budget? Check out this post on how to make your own!