I thought how amazing would it be to cut yogurt expensive out of my weekly grocery bills? Not only is this yogurt make up a whole big batch, but its health for you. Here is why... Yes we are adding sugar to the yogurt, but do you know why you add sugar? The sugar is added to help the live cultures in the yogurt multiply. How you ask? By feeding off the sugar! Give this a try and definitely let me know how you like it! You can double this recipe as well! If you do not have raw milk, or Hartzler's around you (they are local in Ohio) you can use Fairlife milk (the whole milk or 2% is amazing). This milk makes the most thick, creamy yogurt I have ever tasted. In fact, when I make this yogurt with Fairlife I do not strain it because it is thick enough. I just put it in the fridge overnight and let it cool (no straining needed).
You Will Need:
1 Gallon Milk (I like Fairlife Whole Milk)
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Yogurt Starter
2 tbsp Vanilla, depending on how you like it
Fruit Compote
**Yogurt Starter: This is basically plain or vanilla organic yogurt from any store bought. I buy my starter yogurt is maple hill creamery vanilla bean. But the easiest way to get your starter and the cheapest way is to keep 1/2 cup to 1 cup from this batch of yogurt (saving 1 cup if you wish to double the recipe). Piece of cake, eh?!**
Place your milk in your crockpot
Place the crockpot on low and let it cook for 2 hours and 45 minutes! DO NOT touch or move the crockpot, just leave it alone and go about your business! We let it go while cooking dinner, and watching Grey's Anatomy
After 2 hours and 45 minutes, turn the crockpot off, unplug it and remove the lid. This is what it should look like if you are using raw milk like we did
Add your sugar and vanilla at this point and whisk like crazy.
Whisking away.. Now return to whatever it was you were doing; I cleaned the kitchen, and let this sit OFF, lid on for 3 hours! DO NOT ADD YOUR STARTER YET!
Here it is after 3 hours! Remove 1 cup of the milk mixture and place in a bowl
Here is my milk and yogurt starter
Add your starter to the milk, and whisk
While you are whisking you will see the yogurt start to look like yogurt! This is great! The live cultures are doing what they should and feeding off the sugar!
Add back to the crock pot
And whisk away for 2 minutes
Wrap your crockpot in a big bowl around the base, place the lid back on
Place another towel on top of the lip, draping down to cover the entire crockpot the rest of the way
Allow to sit for 8 to 12 hours; I left mine for 8 hours and 45 minutes (the longer it sits the tangier the yogurt flavor- which I do NOT like)
I never strain my yogurt anymore. I used too but it made it so thin. I typically will let it sit on the counter for as long as I can before bed, then I put it in the fridge (while is the crockpot) until morning!
I opened it and was so stunned that I was able to do this! SO CRAZY!! I MADE YOGURT!!
You can place them in any size mason jar you wish, I prefer the 4 oz mason jars, as this is enough for my husband at one sitting and the kids!
Cannot believe this! Place lids on top and refrigerate until ready to use! We like adding fresh fruits like blueberries, peaches, strawberries, pineapples and so forth into our yogurt.
Comments