Homemade Yogurt In the Crock Pot

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you! I searched for a recipe that you could make yogurt in your slow cooker but had a hard time finding one where you made it in the crock rather then incubating it in the jars in the crock. A big hooray to my friend, Traci M. who shared this!

So, without further ado, here's what you'll need:

8 cups of whole milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt with live cultures (or the freeze dried starter)
A thick bath towel
Whisk
Small glass or metal bowl
Containers to store your yogurt
And of course your slow cooker (4 quart or larger if doubling the recipe)

Directions:

• Pour the milk into your crock pot, cover and heat on low for 2 1/2 hours.
• Unplug your crock pot. Without removing the lid, let it sit for 3 hours.
• After 3 hours, remove 2 cups of the warm milk and put into your small bowl. Whisk in the 1/2 cup of yogurt or yogurt starter until well blended.
  
• Pour the mixture back into the crock pot and mix well.
• Put the lid back on your crock pot, and keeping it unplugged, wrap the heavy bath towel around the crock. Let incubate for 8 hours.
• After 8 hours, your yogurt will have thickened.
• Pour into glass jars or plastic bowls and chill.

Yea! You did it! Now for the fun part. Add your favorite mix-ins and enjoy!


Here's some of our favorites:
Honey and sunflower seeds
Fresh or frozen fruit
Granola and blueberries w/ toasted almonds

Remember my 'Little to Big Blueberry Parfait'?
You should try it and let me know what you think!

NOTE: Homemade yogurt isn't nearly as thick as store bought because it doesn't have added gelatin or any thickening agents.