How to Make Yogurt (Bold Baking Basics)
Save RecipeEasily make Yogurt at home and use it with my Frozen Yogurt recipe, Yogurt Pops and more!
Hi Bold Bakers!
I’m going to show you how to make Yogurt at home without any special equipment or thermometers. There are a few simple steps to follow and once you do then you are on your way to delicious homemade Yogurt. Ok, let’s get started…
Heat the milk low and slow:
This is called scalding the milk. You want to bring your milk to a simmer over a low and controlled heat. It takes time, roughly 20 minutes. You will know when it is ready because it will have formed a skin and the bubbles will be trying to come up to the surface. Be patient as it is an important step.
Let it cool down to the blood temperature:
You can test by placing your finger in there and if you can’t feel the milk around your finger then it is at blood temperature. Next step is to stir in some yogurt.
Wait, I need Yogurt to make Yogurt?
Now I know what you are thinking, ”I don’t have yogurt, that’s why I’m making it.” With all the yogurt making you need to add a yogurt starter to make it “grow.” Yogurt is a living thing and you need to feed it to help it grow, just like bread. If you don’t have access to yogurt you can buy an inexpensive Yogurt starter online.
Wrap it up warm:
Here you are creating a little bed for your yogurt to hang out in for the next 14 hours. The more snug he is, the better and thicker your yogurt. Remember yogurt is a live culture so as a living thing he likes to be warm and comfy, just like bread.
Adding flavor:
Once cold you can flavor your yogurt with honey, sweetener, vanilla or fruit. Keep in the fridge for 3 weeks.
When you make this yogurt, try it with my Homemade Granola or Microwave Granola. Or make Homemade Frozen Yogurt.
Learn how to make yogurt at home with my easy yogurt recipe.
- 2 cups (16oz / 500ml) Whole milk*
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt OR Yogurt starter
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In a heavy bottomed saucepan, over low heat bring the milk to a simmer. It will take around 15-20 minutes. The freshest milk will yield you better yogurt.
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Once it starts to bubble turn off the heat and set aside. You notice a skin has formed on your milk, that is normal.
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Let it cool down to the blood temperature. You can test by place your finger in there and if you can’t feel the milk around your finger then it is at blood temperature.
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Once cooled whisk in the yogurt or Yogurt starter. Pour into a sterilized jar and tightly close the lid. Note: You can sterilize your jars by placing some water in them and popping them into the microwave until the water steams.
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Line a deep bowl with a thick tea towel and place in the jar of yogurt. Wrap the jar up well in the towel and let it sit out in a warm part of your kitchen for 14-18 hours. (I use two tea towels to keep the yogurt warm and snug. Essentially you are creating an incubator for it to set)
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After this time, pop the jar in the fridge and let it get cold, roughly 2-3 hours. Once chilled your yogurt will be firm and thick in texture. (the thickness can vary. If yours did not thicken double check your steps and timing )
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At this point you can add sugar, sweetener, honey, fruit and vanilla.
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Keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Watch the Recipe Video!
You can make Yogurt using dairy free milk like nut, soy and coconut.
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i made this but using the microwave and it worked out FANTASTIC! microwaved the milk for a minute and then wait for it to cool to blood temperature and then i followed your procedure. it was AMAZING! im so happy that it is sooooo easy <3
Hi there,
clever you! well done, it is amazing how the old way to do things are gradually being revived at home.
Thank you for your input and review,
Gemma 🙂
You mention in this video about using non-dairy milk. Is the recipe the same? And is yogurt starter dairy-free as well?
Hi Kristine,
Yes! The best milk for this type of recipe will be a mammal milk, goat milk for instance. However you can culture other milks too. I suggest you google this, I would need to work it out to get the proportions right. Yes, you will use a non dairy yogurt, or a commercially produced starter. This may be the ideal for you if you have dairy allergies. Worth really investigating this for yourself, do a little research.
Gemma 🙂
Is this same like making curd ? Being indian I have always had big question about curd and yogurt… What exactly is the difference … ??
Btw, tried your recipes of frozen yoghurts with store bought Greek yoghurt… Came out winner !!!
Hi, yes it is similar. I’m delighted to hear you liked the recipes!