Instant Pot Yogurt or Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
1 gallon dairy milk 1%, 2% or 3.25%
1/4 cup plain yogurt homemade or store-bought
Directions:
In Instant Pot with a yogurt function, add milk, close the lid and set pressure release valve to Venting. Press Yogurt button until display reads Boil.
Milk will take about an hour to heat up and when it’s finished, Instant Pot will beep, turn off and display will say Yogurt.
Open the lid and using a food thermometer check milk’s temperature. It should be 180 F and higher. If it’s not, press Saute button and give the pressure cooker 5-10 minutes to heat the milk further. Check again.
Remove inner pot with milk and let it cool down either on a counter (3-4 hours) or in a sink filled with cold water (15 minutes) until food thermometer reads 110 F and lower. Remove the milk skin on top.
Add yogurt and whisk to combine without touching the bottom. Close the lid and leave pressure release valve in either position. Press Yogurt button until time counter is displayed and adjust time to 10 hours with + or – buttons.
After 10 hours, Instant Pot will shut off. Insert a spoon in the yogurt and if it’s standing, your yogurt is ready.
Remove the inner pot and chill in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight.
To make yogurt completely smooth, whisk it after chilling without touching the bottom. Divide between glass jars or make Greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, cream cheese and yogurt whey pancakes.
* Greek Yogurt: Line large mesh strainer with cheesecloth folded 4 times or single layer of coffee filters, place on top of a bowl making sure there is enough space for draining the whey and add desired amount of yogurt. Strain for 4 hours or until desired consistency.
** Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is longer strained Greek yogurt. Follow instructions for Instant Pot Greek yogurt and strain desired amount overnight. Transfer to a glass container and mix with a pinch of salt. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
*** Vanilla Yogurt: Whisk 1 cup of regular or Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract. Adjust to taste and store like other yogurt.
