Homemade Yogurt (This is a good recipe)

You will need:

1 gallon milk (I like whole because it makes the creamiest and I want my kids to get the fat of it, but you can easily sub any variety of milkfat)

2 c. plain, greek yogurt (you will use 1/2 cup of starter yogurt for every quart of milk) After you make your initial batch, you can use your jarred yogurt as starter for the next batch. I have the best results with greek yogurt, but you can use any kind of plain yogurt.

accurate food thermometer

jars (canning jars or even washed jelly jars) If I use a gallon of milk, I almost get 5 quarts, so have one jar more than the total milk you used (ie 32 oz of milk will yield @ 40 oz of yogurt)

Method 1. heating pad and towels

Method 2. a small cooler and towels

In a stock pot or pan, simmer the milk till it reaches 180 F, stirring regularly (turn it off a little before it reaches that point b/c it will climb a bit after you turn off the heat)

Let it cool on the stove in that pan till the temp reaches 110 F. Watch it carefully. Temps are important!!

Once it has cooled to 110F, add your yogurt starter and whisk well.
Ladle yogurt mix into your clean, sterilized jars.

Method 1. on a baking sheet, place a heating pad on High. Set your jars evenly about the pad. Lace a towel through the jars and over the top to insulate them as they incubate.  Do not seal with the lids yet.

Method 2. place your filled jars in a small cooler. Fill the cooler (half-way up the sides of the jars) with boiling water. Do not seal with the lids yet. Close the cooler and cover the cooler with a warm blanket or towels.

Let yogurt jars set for 8-10 hours. If I use method 1 (which I prefer) I make sure I am home to watch the heating pad.  Method 2 works great overnight.  This is so creamy, I don't even have to strain it.

Once complete, you can add flavorings as you like. Put your lids on and keep in the fridge. It will keep @ 2 weeks (don't know about longer as we usually go through it by then).

The next time you make it, it will only cost you the money you spend for the milk.  Pretty cool!