The summer season is here, which means summer treats and memories. One popular Baltimore staple is the snowball—and according to a 2023 article on Back Then History, a site which shares the unique history behind everyday things, “most true snowballs are only available in Baltimore or a few other specific areas around the state of Maryland.”
The article, “The History of Snowballs (Baltimore Shaved Ice),” says Baltimore is widely believed to have invented the treat.
Baltimore snowballs are distinct from snow cones, made with finely shaved ice in a cup and topped with a variety of flavors and toppings rather than with harder, packed ice in a cone shape. Snowballs are a treat that everyone, young and old enjoy and look forward to in hot weather and summer months.
Maryland-based Old Line Plate blog author Kara Mae Harris talks about snowballs, a bit about their history and more.
Can you tell us a bit of Maryland’s history with snowballs?
The legend of snowballs is that the ice trucks would come through neighborhoods and shave off ice for kids in the hot summer. Soon, people started making flavorings. Snowballs have been a part of Baltimore street food culture since the 1800s.
I don’t have much more information on the history of snowballs outside of the story of the ice truck vendors. Not a lot is known. I can say that Baltimore was always a city that had a lot of street vendors, from crabcakes to produce, snowballs and ice cream. Snowballs are sanitary, so they have survived.
You mentioned that a friend had a snowball syrup party. What was it like? Any tips for people who may be interested in throwing one?
It was a really cool theme for a party. But even if you don’t want to make the syrups, you can buy them. It’s fun to operate the machine and keep it going, but it takes a LOT of ice.
What would people need to make their own snowballs, syrups, etc.?
Snowball flavors are basically simple syrup with extracts or flavorings in them, so just sugar, plus water, plus flavor. And if you want to, coloring.
What supplies would people need if they wanted to make their own snowballs?
To make your own snowballs, you have to rent a Koldkiss machine from them. You would just use bagged ice and pour it in the snowball machine, and it crushes the ice. Some people use other machines to crush or shave the ice.
What would you say are popular snowball flavors in Maryland?
Popular flavors, according to my research, are egg custard, skylite (which one old article said is raspberry/vanilla), cherry and chocolate flavors.
Do you have a favorite snowball flavor?
I like the standard egg custard.
Open choice question! You decide on your own question and response for this article—only rule: needs to be snowball-related.
One thing I have wondered is why marshmallow creme stayed a popular topping. I don’t have a real answer to that, but I think it is because it can hold up to the heat and be poured on snowballs, and it makes them feel a little more substantial and goes with any flavor of snowball.
Harris recommends making your own simple syrup with flavoring. Learn how at oldlineplate.com/snowball-flavorings-1912.
DIY Snowball Stand
Want to make your own snowballs and/or perhaps have your own snowball stand?
Note: You can rent snowball equipment and supplies from Koldkiss, and retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, Target and others have snowball syrups and supplies for year-round use.
Here are some supplies you may need:
Straws, Spoons, Cups, Napkins, Ice, Snowball/snow cone machine, Snowball/snow cone syrups
Snowball toppings:
- Marshmallow creme
- Evaporated milk
- Whipped cream
- Soft serve ice cream
- Crushed pineapples
- Crushed peaches
- Crushed cherries
- Condensed milk
Local Snowball Stands
- Pete’s Snowballs – 9003 Phillip Dorsey Way – Columbia, MD
- Opie’s Soft Serve & Snowballs – 1603 Edmondson Ave. – Catonsville, MD
- The Snowball Stand – 1970 Woodstock Road – Woodstock, MD
- Quality Snowballs – 1014 W. 36th St. – Baltimore, MD
- Original Hawaiian Island Snoball – 10626 Liberty Road – Randallstown, MD
- Ice Queens – 1648 E. Fort Ave. – Baltimore, MD
- One Sweet Moment – 2914 Hamilton Ave. – Baltimore, MD
- Busy Bee Snowballs – 4356 Chapel Road – Perry Hall, MD
- Elizabeth & Ziggy’s Snowballs and Shaved Ice – 2499 Putty Hill Ave. – Parkville, MD
- Chill Snowballs, Ice Cream & More – 249 Main St. – Reisterstown, MD
- Snoasis – 6 E. Padonia Road – Timonium, MD
Awesome Article Tyneshia. My favorite flavor is Egg Custard ( primarily) and Chocolate Fudge with Marshmallow Cream 😋😋