Homemade Yogurt
I've been totally addicted to making my own yogurt lately. I like that I know exactly what is going in it. I use raw cow milk from Hardler Farms and maple syrup that I've made on the homestead. So I thought I would share my recipe for making yogurt.
First, gather your supplies. You'll need milk, yogurt starter (I buy mine here), and maple syrup. You also need a candy thermometer, or any thermometer that you would use for cooking that can measure up to 200 degrees F. Then you need a pot, measuring cups, bowl, jars, and a yogurt maker (you can make yogurt in the oven without fancy jars and the yogurt maker, but I have the maker so that's what I use).
I use the recipe that came with my yogurt maker but I modify it. Here's the general recipe I use:
3 tablespoons homemade maple syrup
1 packet yogurt starter (1 packet starter=5 grams)
4 cups raw milk
Heat milk until it boils (use candy thermometer to keep track, or you can wait until the milk starts to climb the side of the pot indicating that it's reached boiling point). Remove milk from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. I pour the milk into a metal bowl to help with the cooling process. You can also place the pan or bowl into a bowl of cool water to help Cool the yogurt down. Once the milk has reached room temperature, or 110 degrees F, whisk the maple syrup, milk, and starter until blended. Divide the mixture between jars. I use 5 jars, but the recipe can make up to 7 jars. Place the jars--without the lids--into yogurt maker. Cover the maker with the clear lid. Turn machine on. I cook my raw milk yogurt for 9 hours. Otherwise it will be too liquidy for me. Pasteurized milk only needs about 7 hours.
Once the yogurt machine turns off, immediately remove lid taking care to not get any condensation into the yogurt. Cover jars with lids and place in refrigerator for 3 hours before eating.
Then you can enjoy your yogurt however you like. I like using the raw milk because you get a layer of creamy goodness on top. I also use 5 jars filling them to the top as you can see in the photo above. This is how much yogurt I like with my homemade granola that I make every week. I'm finding I'm so addicted to the yogurt that I need to make 2 batches per week!
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