Snow (dessert)

Snow, also known as snow cream, is a dessert of old lineage possibly brought to England during the reign of the Plantagenets and became popular in the 16th century. Variations of it are still popular today. Able to be eaten hot or cold, the basic recipe is egg whites, cream, rosewater or another flavoring agent, and sugar, whipped until stiff. It would be presented at festive occasions draping another item and looking like snow. For a more luxurious effect, gold leaf would be added. Other popular variations include apple snow, which had pureéd apple added to the basic recipe. This particular version was popular in the 17th century while a more modern version is eaten cold. There is a Russian version that is called air pie, which is egg white, sugar, and fruit pureé, whipped and served hot. Snow cake is simply cakes using egg whites as the base, and is not related to snow cream desserts.

Reference

Davidson, Alan. Oxford Companion to Food (1999). "Snow", p. 731