How to Make Vanilla Snow Cone Syrup

Kids love snow cones in the summer.

On a muggy summer day, few foods are appealing enough to eat. No one wants to cook, but if you are planning to entertain, you may want to have a cool, refreshing dessert on hand. One sweet treat that always help to beat the heat is a snow cone. Snow cones (shaved ice topped with flavored syrup) are a great dessert, and while it may take a while to shave the ice, making a vanilla-flavored syrup is very easy.

Things You'll Need

• 48 oz. water
• 5 lb. sugar
• 4 oz. vanilla extract/concentrate
• Large stockpot
• Wooden spoon
• 1-gallon jug
• Measuring cup with pour spout

Instructions

1. Heat 48 oz. of water in a large stockpot until boiling.

2. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves.

3. Remove stockpot from the heat after 3 minutes and allow to cool completely.

4. Stir in the vanilla extract or flavor concentrate thoroughly.

5. Use the measuring cup to fill the gallon jug. Seal and refrigerate, making sure to use the syrup within a month. If you want to preserve the syrup, mix in one oz. of sodium benzoate to act as a preservative, followed by .25 oz. of citric acid. This will further prolong the product for another one to two months.

Tips & Warnings

• Use extra-fine sugar instead of regular granulated sugar for a faster dissolve time.

References

• Food & Wine: Simple Syrup Recipe
• 1 800 Shaved Ice: Simple Syrup Recipe
• 1 800 Shaved Ice: Shaved Ice and Snow Cone Recipes