Homemade Yogurt - Take 2

A few weeks ago I attempted to make homemade yogurt. But it didn't turn out as I expected. There wasn't anything terribly wrong with the yogurt, other than the texture, and that it was way to thick.

I decided to try again, this time using powdered milk instead of gelatin to thicken it. I also realized last time, with using gelatin, I may not have needed to strain and let sit in fridge to thicken, which is how it got too thick.

This time, I did everything the same with the exception of using 1/2 cup powdered milk, not gelatin.
After sitting for 8 hours overnight, I checked it (having to get up at 5 am to do so, because I started too early... again. *yawn*). It was just slightly more runny than store bought yogurt. So I decided, in order to avoid letting it get too thick, to leave it as is.

Success!! After going back to bed for a few hours, I got up and had homemade yogurt with pumpkin flax granola for breakfast! The yogurt was very yummy. Though, plain, and not flavored, with makes the taste kind of bland. But, I guess I never have cared for plain yogurt for that very reason. Adding the granola to it gave it some flavor.

Again, I got two 32oz. containers of yogurt! And will save out a half cup for a starter for the next batch. I may never buy store-bought yogurt again! :) I'm thinking this new recipe will be very cost effective, now that I can use half a cup to start a new batch, I only have to buy 1/2 gallon of milk (about $2 where I live), and half a cup of powdered milk, which comes out to pennies, if that, when you buy a large container. So, two, 32oz cartons of yogurt for a little over $2, making them about a $1 each! Very good, cheap, healthy yogurt!

Homemade Yogurt

We use a lot of yogurt. Mostly for smoothies, but we enjoy eating it as well. I generally find good coupon deals on it. But after reading a blog post on how to make homemade yogurt I decided to try it. I think it will turn out being very cost effective.

I've been wanting to try this for awhile. Finally got around to it yesterday.
It was actually very simple.

The crock pot definitely makes it easy to heat the milk.

 Mix in yogurt and thickener. (Next time I will not use a whole package of gelatin).

Insulate and let it sit! Easiest part :)

In the morning, the yogurt was a bit thicker than I expected (due to too much gelatin). I realize now, after the fact, I could have left it like this and not strained it.

I strained and left in refrigerator about an hour or so longer than I needed to. Producing  very thick yogurt.

To smooth it down a little bit I ended up mixing in store-bought yogurt, mixing well in my KitchenAid, and adding a little cream.

Even though I learned not to use as much gelatin, and next time I might just try powdered milk, I'm pretty happy with how my yogurt turned out. With adding yogurt, and cream, I ended up with two, 32oz cartons of thick yogurt! And a very small amount of, gelled whey!

It tasted good! And am looking forward to enjoying it! I even made a blueberry-banana smoothie!
(The good thing about it turning out too thick, is that it doesn't make a difference blended up in a smoothie)! :)