How to Make Homemade Yogurt

DIY Valentine’s Hand Warmers Thrifty Thursday {Week 43}

How to Make Homemade Yogurt

Making homemade yogurt is one of those things I have literally been meaning to try for years, ever since my friend Kelly shared this recipe with me back in 2010! And now that I have finally gotten around to it, I can’t believe I waited so long!

Friends, this recipe is so easy to make that it is basically foolproof and I am literally kicking myself for not trying it sooner. I have made it a few times now, and even when I think I have completely screwed it up (like heated the milk to 200 degrees instead of 180) it has come out just fine. My girls absolutely can not get enough of this stuff and I love that we can sweeten it with honey and coconut and fresh fruit (and maybe a few chocolate chips!) instead of just buying the sugar-laden stuff at the grocery store.

Here is what you need:

1/2 gallon whole milk
1 6oz container plain, unsweetened yogurt
food or candy thermometer
slow cooker
2-3 large towels

Step 1: Pour milk into crockpot; turn to high and heat to 180 degrees. (This will take between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.)

Step 2: Turn off the slow cooker and allow milk to cool to 120 degrees (This will also take between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.) Let unsweetened yogurt and allow to sit at room temperature while milk is cooling.

Step 3: Once milk has reached 120 degrees, mix yogurt into milk and stir gently but thoroughly.

Step 4: Replace lid and bundle crockpot with several towels. Set crockpot in an out-of-the-way place where it the yogurt can ferment, undisturbed, for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Carefully unwrap crockpot and transfer crock to refrigerator to let yogurt cool completely. Do not shake or stir–the less you disrupt it, the better it will set.

Note: My family likes our yogurt to have a softer consistency, but if you prefer a thicker yogurt, you can line a colander with cheesecloth as shown, then pour in the yogurt to strain out some of the excess water.

Step 7: Serve with fresh fruit, berries, chocolate, granola, or coconut…the sky’s the limit on this one! Be sure to reserve 3/4 cup of starter for your next batch….you’ll be making it again before you know it!

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Recipe: How to Make Homemade Yogurt

Summary: Create your own healthy yogurt for your family.

Ingredients

1/2 gallon whole milk
1 6oz container plain, unsweetened yogurt
food or candy thermometer
slow cooker
2-3 large towels

Instructions

Pour milk into crockpot; turn to high and heat to 180 degrees. (This will take between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.)
Turn off the slow cooker and allow milk to cool to 120 degrees (This will also take between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.)
Measure unsweetened yogurt and allow to sit at room temperature while milk is cooling.
Once milk has reached 120 degrees, mix yogurt into milk and stir gently but thoroughly.
Replace lid and bundle crockpot with several towels. Set crockpot in an out-of-the-way place where it the yogurt can ferment, undisturbed, for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Carefully unwrap crockpot and transfer crock to refrigerator to let yogurt cool completely. Do not shake or stir–the less you disrupt it, the better it will set.
Serve with fresh fruit, berries, chocolate, granola, or coconut…the sky’s the limit on this one! Be sure to reserve 3/4 cup of starter for your next batch….you’ll be making it again before you know it!

Preparation time: 4-5 hours

Cooking time: 6-8 hours

Number of servings (yield): 16