The Lazy Way of Making Yogurt, Greek Yogurt, and a Giveaway.

This is how I make my yogurt.

I tried culturing my own yogurt and didn’t have much luck.  I wanted a dump and walk away method.  That’s when I discovered this little gem that has added so much happiness to my life.

I know what you’re thinking.  Yogurt is so readily available, why make your own?

Answer:  Because

I just love homemade better. However, I have to admit that the Honey Greek Yogurt by Greek Gods is just sinfully delicious. It’s like eating cheesecake.

This is how I make my yogurt.  There are many different techniques and recipes. This works for me.

4 cups whole milk (yes WHOLE milk)
1 package Yogourmet cultures OR 1/2 – 3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt

Pour milk into a saucepan.

Heat milk to 180 degrees F (82C)

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Once the milk has cooled add one package of a freeze-dried yogurt starter.

Yes, you can use yogurt as a starter.  I add 3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt.

Sprinkle it over the milk.

Stir well making sure there are no lumps and the culture has dissolved.

Pour into the yogurt maker bowl.

Cover.

Set timer.  If the milk has been heated and cooled again, the yogurt should be ready is 4 – 4 1/2 hour.  I check to see if it’s thick.  You may want to adjust the timing.  Most of the time I set it for 8 hours then go to bed.

Let me tell you why this yogurt maker is so wonderful.  It will automatically turn off and COOL the yogurt. The yogurt won’t be cold, but it will be cool.  What a great feature.  It’s pretty much a no brain way to making yogurt.

This has cultured for 8 hours.  It’s pretty thick and tart.  Notice that it seems to be a bit grainy or lumpy.  No problem.  I just whisk through it and it’s silky and nice, but will thin down the yogurt a bit.

I like to store my yogurt in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

I read many reviews on the Cuisinart Yogurt maker before my purchase.  Many reviews stated that the yogurt wasn’t thick enough.  I have found that leaving the yogurt in the machine longer only makes it more tart not thicker.  The reason the yogurt was thin was because of the whey in the milk.

Remedy?  Drain the whey!

For Greek yogurt simply drain of the whey.  This is so simple.  So, so simple.

You will need:

Well chilled yogurt, a strainer and a coffee filter.

1) Place the strainer over a bowl.
2) Line the strainer with the coffee filter.
3) Pour in chilled yogurt.

I should buy larger coffee filters so I can make a larger batch.  As you can see I have filled the coffee filter pretty much to the top.

4) Cover and refrigerate until the yogurt reaches your desired thickness.  The longer it is drained the thicker it will become.

As you can see the yogurt has reduced considerable.  Almost by half.

I drained this batch just overnight.  Look how thick it has become.

This is the whey that drained off the yogurt.

DO NOT throw this away.  I use it to make Crusty Bread.  The whey gives the bread a sour dough flavor.

I lift the thickened yogurt and turn it over into a bowl.

Leave the coffee filter in place.  Press it firmly to the top of the yogurt.  This will help the yogurt store longer by keeping a tight seal against the top of the yogurt. Cover bowl and store in the refrigerator.

When ready to use just peel off the coffee filter.

Greek yogurt…it only looks like whipped cream.

5 from 2 votes

Print

Homemade Yogurt and Greek Yogurt

Using a yogurt maker makes amazing yogurt without much work on your part. Set it and forget it, then enjoy it.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword homemade yogurt, hot to make yogurt in a yogurt maker, how to make yogurt

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 74 kcal

Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk yes WHOLE milk
• 1 package Yogourmet cultures OR 1/2 - 3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt

Instructions

1. Heat milk to 180 degrees F (82C).  Allow milk to cool to room temperature.  Stir in powder yogurt cultures or plain yogurt.  Stir to dissolve powder or blend in yogurt.  Culture for 4-8 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Yogurt and Greek Yogurt

Amount Per Serving

Calories 74 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 52mg2%

Potassium 161mg5%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 200IU4%

Calcium 138mg14%

Iron 0mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.