Homemade Yogurt

Homemade Yogurt:

 

I know what you are thinking!  Homemade YOGURT??!! Yeah right!  I promise once you've tried it, you will master it and wonder why you haven't been doing this already, so here goes!

 

 

What You Will Need:

 

 

 

 

Slow Cooker

 

Half Gallon Whole Milk

 

One Cup Plain Yogurt with Live Active Cultures (this will be your starter, you will learn about this later)

 

 

Seems simple enough right??  So let's get started.

 

Just pour your milk into the slow cooker and put the lid on and cook on low for 2 hours and 45 minutes.  You may want to set your alarm or timer so you don't forget, timing is everything with homemade yogurt.

and that's it for now!

 

After 2 hours and 45 minutes have passed TURN OFF your slow cooker and let it sit for 3 HOURS be sure the cooker is OFF.

 

Next, once it has sat for 3 hours spoon a small amount of the milk into a bowl and whisk in the store bought yogurt.  (I don't have a photo for this, it was 7 a.m. and I'm not a morning person..LOL)

 

Once you have added the milk to the yogurt and whisked together, add this mixture back into the slow cooker and mix around.

 

The next step is crazy but crucial, leave the slow cooker OFF and UNPLUGGED and cover it with a heavy beach towel or blanket. This allows the yogurt to cool more slowly and thicken properly.

 

(You'll get to know me, and you'll learn that I have EVERYTHING in pink! LOL)

 

Let your slow cooker sit covered this way for 8-12 hours(or overnight) this will allow it to cool and thicken.  For me, I do 12 hours but that's just me.  You'll develop your own way too.

 

Next you get to uncover your slow cooker and see your creation!

 

Just remember, it will not be as thick as the kind you buy in the grocery store due to the additives and gelatin and such but you can actually strain it and make it thicker like Greek Yogurt if you prefer.

 

Also, remember to spoon out one cup and put aside to use as your starter for next time.

 

 

And there you have it!  One half gallon of home made yogurt to flavor any way you like.  The smaller jar is my starter for next time.  This will keep for a few weeks, and I will post more tutorials to show you lots of things you can do with your homemade yogurt!