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Full of healthy probiotics, low calorie and low cost, making yogurt in the crockpot is incredibly easy and at about 15 cents per ½ cup serving it’s totally worth doing.

EASY CROCKPOT YOGURT

Patti Diamond
Full of healthy probiotics, low calorie and low cost, making yogurt in the crockpot is incredibly easy and at about 20 cents per ½ cup serving it’s totally worth doing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Letting the cultures do their thing 11 hours
Total Time 12 hours 50 minutes
Course Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts, Meal Prep, Pantry Staple
Cuisine Global
Servings 8 4 ounce servings

Equipment

  • Crockpot
  • Food thermometer
  • Large towel

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups milk I use whole milk but any fat content will work
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt be sure it has active cultures

Instructions
 

  • Put milk in the crock pot on HIGH and heat to a temperature of 180°F degrees.  This will take about 90 minutes depending on your crock pot. Stir occasionally and watch carefully for scorching. This step denatures the whey proteins to make nice creamy yogurt.
  • Turn the crock pot OFF and allow the milk to cool down to 120°F degrees. This is critical. Temperature is important in this process. If the milk gets over 130°F degrees the bacteria will die. If it gets below 85°F degrees the bacteria will slow down and it will take a looooongtime to ferment.  The sweet spot is 108°F degrees.
  • Remove a cup of the warm milk and add the yogurt, stirring to blend. Dump this back into the crockpot and stir.  Put the lid on, wrap the crockpot in the towel and set a timer for 3 hours.  The towel helps the crockpot maintain a steady temperature. 
    Full of healthy probiotics, low calorie and low cost, making yogurt in the crockpot is incredibly easy and at about 15 cents per ½ cup serving it’s totally worth doing.
  • At three hours check the temperature and if it’s below 105°F degrees turn the crockpot LOW for 10 minutes, checking the temperature, then turn it OFF. Wrap it back up for 8 more hours or overnight. Resist the urge to fiddle, just walk away.
  • After 8 hours - Congratulations! It’s a yogurt! Isn’t that cool? You just grew a culture and fermented milk! And it’s good! It’ll keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. Be sure to hold back ¼ cup to start your next batch.
    Full of healthy probiotics, low calorie and low cost, making yogurt in the crockpot is incredibly easy and at about 15 cents per ½ cup serving it’s totally worth doing.

Notes

For Greek style yogurt; line a colander with cheesecloth and put your yogurt in to strain off some of the whey. Place the colander in a bowl to collect the whey. This will take several hours. It's done when it reaches a consistency you like.  Don't dump that whey! Use it in smoothies, soups or give it to your pets. 
Flavor your yogurt with fruit puree, vanilla, honey, or your favorite sweetener. Use plain yogurt as a base for sauces, dips, or in place of sour cream in recipes. Here’s your chance to make your own signature yogurt flavor. Diva strut!
Keyword Crock-Pot, Frugal, Gluten Free, How To, Vegetarian
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