Smart Savings: Homemade Yogurt

I cringe when I start looking at all the flavored yogurts and how much sugar they have in one small container!  Did you know that almost 4 grams of sugar equals 1 tsp sugar? That means most yogurts have at least 3-4 teaspoons sugar per serving!  Since we have had our first son, yogurt has been a staple in our home.  My son has probably had it everyday since I can remember.  In fact, we are so blessed because he doesn't mind eating plain yogurt. {gross I know!} At least he likes it!

Recently though our number 2 son has been eating yogurt and we go through a bunch of it during the week!  When I was home visiting my family a month ago, my mother was making her own yogurt.  I thought, "hmmm that is interesting.  Do I dare try it?"  Well, I decided to.  The cost of making your yogurt is significant!  One carton yogurt is anywhere between $2.50 to $3.00.  For approximately +/-$5, one can make about +1 gallon yogurt.  Yes, I realize that is a lot of yogurt, we cut the recipe in half.  But for those that love smoothies, this is a great savings.

What does it cost?

The cost of milk:  approximate $3.60 depending on where you live.

Knox Gelatin {clear/plain}{cheap}

8 oz of start up yogurt

I half my recipe so for me it is the cost of 1/2 gallon of milk,

gelatin and start up yogurt

The recipe will make approximately more

then the amount of milk you started with.

What items do you need:

Stainless Steel pan

Glass bowl

Plastic Spoon

Temperature gauge

{recommend instant read thermometer}

sterilized glass jars and lids to store in

{washed in hot dishwasher or boiled before use}

How long does it last?

I will last about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Additional Uses:

Smoothies:  Freeze your fruit.

Use about the same amount of yogurt as you do frozen fruit. 

Add to your blender a dash of almond flavoring,

and sweetener {sugar, truvia or honey}.  Yum!

• Substitute yogurt in place of sour cream.
  This will cut your calories.

The recipe is specific about what to use or your yogurt will not turn out.

Put 1 gallon milk in stainless steel pan.

Heat slowly to 180 degrees.

Take 1/4 cup cold milk

and add 4 teaspoons Knox Gelatin

in glass bowl to soften.

Once Milk has been heated to 180 degrees,

add softened gelatin to pan and stir with plastic spoon.

When cooled to 120-130 degrees,

place 2 cups of milk into a glass bowl
and add 8 oz of your bought {starter} plain yogurt.

Stir gently and blend in.

Pour back into stainless pan. 

Stir to blend.

Pour into sterilized jars.

Place jars on baking sheet
and place into cool oven with the light on.

Leave for 8 hours.

Refrigerate over night and enjoy!

Can experiment with the yogurt before sitting it in the oven.

Next time, I may add vanilla bean to the mix before pouring into the jars.