Homemade Yogurt

So many people have been asking me about my new homemade yogurt discovery.  I have been making it about twice a week because my family has been scarfing it down along with my homemade granola (I guess I have to post that recipe now too). 


Homemade Cream Top Yogurt (36oz)
2 Cups Whole Milk (I know... but trust me)
1/2 Cup Powdered Milk - this thickens the yogurt
1/2 Cup Plain, Cream Top Natural Yogurt (One small container)

- Start by warming your yogurt incubator... don't have one? Use jelly jars as containers and make your yogurt in the oven on the lowest heat it will allow.  Preferably if you have a gas oven, just put the pilot light on.  This will effect the amount of time you let your yogurt set. 
- Set out your yogurt starter.  Allow it to get to room temperature.
- Heat milk and powdered milk on the stove until it reaches 180 degrees.  This pasteurizes the milk. 
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to 115 degrees. 
- Add the yogurt to the milk and gently stir. 
- Pour mixture into glass jars.  I use 7 1/2 cup jars.
- Let the mixture sit at 115 degrees for 8-12 hours... depending on how tart you like your yogurt. The longer it sits, the more tart it gets. 
- Eat 6 of them, and save the 7th for your starter in your next batch.

* Remember this is Plain, Cream Top yogurt.  You will have to stir the cream on the top into the rest of the yogurt.  Add fresh fruit after the yogurt is made.
* Don't add the yogurt to the milk before it reaches 115 degrees or you will kill all the probiotics in the yogurt that are so good for your immune system.

Cost Breakdown:
- Whole Milk
   1 Gallon (128 oz) - $2.99 = $.023/oz
   7 1/2 cups = 3.5 cups (28 oz)
   28oz x $.023 = $.64
- Powdered Milk
   25.6 oz - $7.78 = $.30/oz
   1/2 cup = 4 oz
   4 oz x $.30 = $1.20
- Starter (free when used from prevoius batch)
One batch costs $.05/oz
Total Cost = $1.84 for 36 oz of Homemade Yogurt
If I  made a 6 oz cup like they sell in the store it would cost = $.30
If I made 32 oz large tub like the Stonyfield my yogurt would cost = $1.60

Stonyfield (best comparison)
6oz - $.99 = $.17/oz (Individually sold cup)
32 oz - $4.49 = $.14/oz

Total Savings:
6 oz: Stonyfield $.99 - Homemade $.30 = $.69 savings
32 oz: Stonyfield $4.49 - Homemade $1.60 = $2.89 savings

We make two batches a week... 2.89 x 2 = $5.78.  4 weeks in a month... we save $23.12 a month on homemade yogurt!  We really do eat it too.

* Hot tip: If you don't plan on eating your yogurt before it goes bad, make homemade frozen yogurt!
Enjoy!