Homemade Yogurt

I have been looking for a good homemade yogurt recipe for YEARS! I finally found one that I wanted to try, and after several attempts, I think I finally figured it out! I used this recipe, as a basis and then tweaked it a bit...

I never liked to buy yogurt at the store because we could go through an entire 24 oz. tub in 1 sitting, and we won't even talk about the little cups... we would need 6 of those a day at least! It was just too expensive! You will be happy to know, the total cost, for 5 qts. of homemade, sweetened vanilla yogurt was approximately $2.50! That's a HUGE savings in my book. AND, it is delicious! My kids would never eat the yogurt that I tried to make before, but they literally gobble this up! I even eat it, and I am not a real huge fan of yogurt most days.

I won't go through the step by step of it all, with pictures and such, but here are the basics-

Ingredients:

1 gal. whole milk

1 c. half and half (because I had it and it needed to be used)

1 1/2 c. plain yogurt

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. powdered vanilla

In a heavy stockpot, heat 1 gallon whole milk and half and half to 185-195 degrees. (I think it matters what kind of milk you use- the full milk fat helps it to set up well. You could use milk with less fat-content, but I am not sure if you will get as nice of a texture. Plus, I think we should eat things as close to the way God made them as possible... He knows what He's doing - There is more to be said on this matter, but I will save that for another day, though this lady says it pretty well in this post:)

After your milk reaches 185 degrees, cool to 120 degrees- then add plain yogurt, sugar and vanilla powder and mix thoroughly. Pour into your jars, or plastic containers, and I put them in my dehydrator- I have and excaliber dehydrator and I love it, I just take out the shelves, set it to 115 degrees and leave the yogurt overnight. In this post, she gives other ways to do it, but this is the best way I have found. In the morning I put it in the fridge, well that is whatever the kids don't eat first, and let it cool and literally in just a few days I need to make more!

Now- I know that there are some of you out there who surely are saying- YIKES Megan! that's a lot of sugar! and a lot of fat! And yes, you are right, this isn't fat-free yogurt and my kids won't eat it if it doesn't taste good...so, for me, for delicious, cheap homemade yogurt it is worth it...however, I am thinking of trying some stevia to sweeten it next time, it has 0 calories, and comes in flavored liquids, so you could make lots of different flavors....I will let you know how it goes.