100 Years of American History
The iconic Morton Salt Girl is turning 100 years old this year. It was in the year 1914 when the little girl in the yellow dress, over sized umbrella and Morton Salt canister tucked under her arm was introduced on the familiar blue round package of Morton Salt and in a print ad in the October issue of Good Housekeeping. Ever since then, the Morton Salt Girl has become an American icon with a sprinkle of salt wherever she goes.
In celebration of her 100th birthday, 100 bloggers from across the countries hosted a birthday party in her honor. We were one of the lucky chosen few to celebrate the adorable American icon. I chose to celebrate a little girl’s birthday as best I could-with homemade ice cream of course!
Growing Up With Salted Traditions
My husband grew up making homemade ice cream with his family and he passed on the tradition in our own family. We like to make homemade ice cream after a nice warm Sunday spent in the pool. Making homemade ice cream is really easy in an ice cream machine that retail for less than 50 dollars. The taste of the ice cream cannot be compared to a store bought version, it is much more rich and creamy. Topping homemade ice cream with homemade salted caramel sauce should be illegal because it’s just soooo dang good!
Surprise! Let’s party!
The fine folks over at Morton Salt sent us all of the paper party supplies and Morton salt (of course!) we needed for our party. I loved the iconic umbrella banner the most. My kids loved the Morton Salt Girl printed M&M candies of course.
I set the Morton Salt Girl party up while the kids were napping so that I could surprise them with fun when they woke up. I laid out the ice cream sunday glasses out and all the toppings for a tasty sweet party. They loved it!
Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe
This homemade vanilla bean ice cream will knock your socks off. (Recipe adapted from Southern Living).
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch of cinnamon (gives a rich, earthy taste to the ice cream!)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon Morton salt
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract)
Directions:
1. Mix together first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan. Whisk in milk and cream slowly.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture thickens only slightly. Remove from heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk about 1 cup hot cream mixture from saucepan into yolk. Add yolk mixture to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract). Cool 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
3. Put cream mixture into bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill over night for 8 to 24 hours.
4. Pour mixture into freezer container of a 1 1/2-qt. electric ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. (Instructions and time may vary.) My Cuisnart ice cream maker took less than 15 minutes.
Enjoy!
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Rich, decadent and absolutely scrumptious. This recipe is adapted from Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman for Food Network.
Ingredients:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup half and half
1 stick of (real not substitute) butter
1/8 teaspoon Morton salt
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract 
Directions:
Mix the brown sugar, half and half, butter and Morton salt in large heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly for 6 minutes until slightly thickened. Add vanilla and stir. Let cool and then store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
We had so much fun celebrating the Morton Salt Girl’s 100th birthday. She doesn’t look a day over 7! 😉
Okay, NOW I want some ice cream !! Looks yummy !