Super easy DIY Home made Yogurt.

Today I thought I would do a Step By Step

EASY YOGURT MAKING.

When I first looked for a way to make my own yogurt,

I was a little more than intimidated by the other blogs that I saw trying to tell me how EASY it was.

Umm, Not so much. 

I did find one that was pretty straightforward. Still made the process a little daunting.

So, with a little trial and a couple of errors, I now have a pretty easy yogurt recipe, and I am thrilled to show it to you all.

My Mom uses the Microwave method. But this is the Stove Top one.

What you will need:

1 non stick pan.

(I made my own double boiler as you will see in the pictures. But a regular pan works just as well.)

1 candy thermometer. (I got mine at Wall-mart for about $1.50.)

1/2 gallon of milk (This time I used whole milk, But I have also used 1%, though it was a thinner outcome, it still works.)

At least 1 cup of PLAIN yogurt.  Here By known as Yogurt Starter.

(I use Dannon, Because it gives the best results, and they don't use corn syrup. And I love the taste. This is personal preference.)

1 or 2 plastic large stirring spoons.

at least 2, 32 oz plastic containers. (I used my empty Dannon containers.)

1 towel

1 heating pad

Aluminum foil. Enough to cover your pan for the set up time.

1 hour of prep time, then 8 to 10 hours to set up.

And 1 refrigerator.

Step One:

Pour your 1/2 gallon of milk into your pan. Putting the Thermometer on the edge. 

Heat the milk till it reaches 200° You will need to stir the milk with a plastic spoon every 5 minutes to prevent sticking to the pan.

I cheated this time, it was ALMOST 200° But it still needs to boil, which is around the 200° mark.

Take the milk off the flame and now comes the waiting time. The milk needs to cool to somewhere between 100° and 125°.

**NO HOTTER THAN 125!!!**

You now get to add your yogurt starter. (Plain yogurt)

**(If you add your starter with the milk hotter then 125°. Your yogurt will NEVER set up. And you will have a hot mess.)

Sorry about the picture being fuzzy the lens steamed up each time I tried to take a picture.

Dannon Yogurt as Yogurt starter. 1/2 cup measuring spoon.

I used ½ a cup of Dannon this time; I have used as much as 1 cup. Which is one serving size of a regular yogurt cup.

REMEMBER 100° to 125° NOT ONE DEGREE HOTTER!!! When you add the yogurt starter.

Yogurt starter in slotted spoon ready to be stirred into warm milk mixture.

I put the yogurt in through a slotted spoon. I have noticed that it mixes in easier. Otherwise you will need to make sure that it is completely mixed in.

Now is the time for set up.

Place a folded towel on the counter next to an electric outlet. Putting the pan on the folded towel, cover the pan with aluminum foil, and place the heating pad over the foiled pan and set the heating pad to high. (The Towel helps hold the heat in the pan, and protects the counter.)

Now comes the wait time, anywhere from 8 to 10 hours. This is why I normally start this project at night.

Around 8:00PM to 9:00 PM. Because it can sit there doing it's yogurt thing as I sleep, and in the morning it will be set up.

set up yogurt with whey

You will need to remove as much whey as possible.

I press gently down on the top of the yogurt and the whey pours into the spoon

Now I spoon out the yogurt into the Yogurt containers.

Yes I know it looks clumpy, but we will fix that in a second.

I use a hand held whisk and after about 10 turns and it is as smooth as silk.

yogurt right before whisked smooth.

Put the lids on and put in the refrigerator till cool.

Homemade yogurt ready to enjoy.

After about 2 hours you have your own homemade yogurt!
Feel free to eat it with fresh fruit, add your favorite Jam or Jelly. Or eat it plain like the French do.