Holiday Gift Guide: Cheesemaking Books
If you're dreaming of making cheese from your own sheep milk this year, this holiday gift guide is for you! I'm sharing my favorite cheesemaking books, the ones on my Christmas wishlist, and free resources that will help you grow your homestead cheese skills—whether you're just getting started or ready to take your craft to the next level.
There's something magical about using a wheel of cheese made with milk from animals you raised, fed, and milked yourself. But when I first started, I felt completely overwhelmed standing in my kitchen with a gallon of fresh sheep milk and no idea why my cheese wasn’t turning out like it was supposed to. That's when I discovered that the right books could be my patient teachers, walking me through not just the "how" but the "why" of cheesemaking.
The Best Cheesemaking Books for Dairy Sheep Homesteaders
Whether you're shopping for yourself or the homesteader in your life, these books are gifts that keep giving—year after year, batch after batch. I've organized them into my tried-and-true favorites, the books I'm hoping to unwrap this Christmas, and incredible free resources you need to know about.
My Favorite Cheesemaking Books from Last Year
These are the books that have earned their place on my kitchen shelf—the ones with dog-eared pages, cheese stains, and sticky notes marking my most-used recipes.
The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep by Rachel Hester
I'm starting with this one even though it's not technically a cheesemaking book—but if you're considering dairy sheep (or just brought your first ones home), this book is absolute gold. Rachel covers everything from breed selection to lambing to daily care, and yes, she includes some cheese recipes too.
What I love most is how this book makes dairy sheep feel doable. When I'm troubleshooting a sheep care question or double-checking something, this is the first place I look. It's written for people like us—homesteaders who didn't grow up on a farm but are determined to learn.
Perfect for: Anyone considering dairy sheep or in their first year of sheep ownership.
Grab your copy of "The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep” now! psst - this is an affiliate link which means if you purchase the book I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this blog!
Pro tip: If you're still in the dreaming phase, grab my free guide: The Beginner's Guide to Dairy Sheep: 5 Things Every Homesteader Should Know Before Buying—it pairs perfectly with Rachel's book!
Successful Cheesemaking by Merryl Winstein
This is the comprehensive guide for making cheese. Merryl doesn't just give you recipes—she explains the science behind cheesemaking in a way that actually makes sense. Not only that - you can actually CALL HER on the phone and get troubleshooting help!
You know how some recipes tell you to "heat milk to 86°F" without explaining why? This book tells you why. When you understand the principles, you can troubleshoot problems, adapt recipes, and eventually create your own variations with confidence.
I reach for this book whenever I'm trying something new or when a batch isn't turning out quite right. It's like having a patient teacher in your kitchen. This book made it possible for me to be successful with mozzarella!
Perfect for: Beginner to intermediate cheesemakers who want to really understand what they're doing, not just follow recipes blindly.
Grab your copy of Successful Cheesemaking here!
Milk into Cheese by David Asher
Fair warning: this book is a deep dive. David Asher is passionate about natural, traditional cheesemaking—no commercial cultures, no additives, just milk, time, and the microbial magic that's been making cheese for thousands of years.
This isn't where I'd start if you're brand new to cheesemaking, but once you've got a few batches under your belt and you're curious about how cheese was made before industrial practices took over? This book is fascinating. It's changed how I think about culturing milk and working with raw milk.
When I want to understand traditional techniques or experiment with natural cultures, this is my go-to resource.
Perfect for: Intermediate cheesemakers ready to explore natural, traditional methods and deepen their craft.
Grab your copy of Milk into Cheese here!
Cheesemaking Books on My Christmas List This Year
These are the books I'm hoping to unwrap this Christmas! I haven't read them yet, but I'm excited about what each one will add to my cheesemaking journey.
Cheese From Scratch: Natural Cheesemaking From Home by Robyn Jackson
This book is at the top of my wishlist because Robyn writes from the perspective of someone who milks her own cows—and that's a whole different ballgame than buying milk from the store.
When you're working with fresh milk from your own animals, the variables change. The seasonality matters. The timing matters. And Robyn gets that because she's living it. Plus, I've enjoyed her content online—she has this easy-going, relatable way of teaching that makes me feel like we could be friends chatting over coffee.
I'm excited to see how her approach to fresh, farm milk translates to my own cheesemaking!
Perfect for: Homesteaders who are milking their own animals (or planning to) and want guidance specifically for that experience.
Grab your copy of Cheese From Scratch!
200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes: From Cheddar and Brie to Butter and Yogurt by Debra Amrein-Boyes
Here's the thing about sheep milk: it's incredible for cheesemaking, but most cheese recipes are written for cow or goat milk. Finding sheep-milk-specific recipes can be challenging!
This book was recommended to me specifically because it includes recipes for sheep milk cheeses. I'm looking forward to having more options designed for the rich, sweet milk our ewes produce. Two hundred recipes means plenty of variety for experimentation.
Perfect for: Anyone working with sheep milk, or cheesemakers who want a wide variety of recipes to explore.
Get your copy of 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes!
The Art of Clabber by Katya Luniova
I'm a clabber convert! I use clabber to culture all of my cheeses now, and I love the depth of flavor and traditional approach it brings to my cheesemaking. This book is entirely dedicated to clabber—its history, uses, and techniques.
I'm excited to dive deeper into this simple but powerful ingredient and discover new ways to use it in my kitchen. If you've never heard of clabber, it's naturally soured raw milk—one of the oldest cultured dairy products in the world.
Perfect for: Natural cheesemakers interested in traditional culturing methods and working with raw milk.
Grab your copy of The Art of Clabber here!
Free Cheesemaking and Dairy Sheep Resources
Not everything has to cost money! Here are two incredible resources you can access completely free through Archive.org. These books are out of print or expensive to buy, but they're packed with valuable information.
Practical Sheep Dairying by Olivia Mills
This is THE original book on everything dairy sheep. Yes, it leans more toward commercial dairy operations, but there's so much useful information here that applies to small homestead flocks too.
The fact that you can read it for free on Archive.org is amazing, because physical copies (when you can find them) are incredibly expensive. If you're serious about dairy sheep, this historical resource is absolutely worth your time.
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette de Baïracli Levy
While not a cheesemaking book, this is too good of a free resource to not tell you about it. If you're interested in natural or herbal approaches to animal care, this book is a fascinating read. Juliette de Baïracli Levy was a pioneer in herbal veterinary medicine, and her wisdom has stood the test of time.
I love having this as a reference for natural treatment options and preventative care. It's not a replacement for veterinary care, but it's a wonderful complement to a holistic approach to animal husbandry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesemaking Books
What's the best book for beginner cheesemakers?
I recommend starting with Successful Cheesemaking by Merryl Winstein. It gives you both the recipes and the science behind them, which helps you understand what you're doing and troubleshoot when things don't go as planned. If you're specifically interested in dairy sheep, pair it with The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep by Rachel Hester for the complete picture.
Can I make cheese from sheep milk using cow milk recipes?
You can, but you'll need to make adjustments. Sheep milk has a higher fat and protein content than cow milk, which means it sets faster and produces a firmer curd. That's why I'm so excited about 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes—it includes sheep-milk-specific recipes that take these differences into account.
Do I need special equipment to start making cheese at home?
Not really! Most home cheesemaking can be done with equipment you already have in your kitchen: a large pot, a thermometer, cheesecloth, and a colander. As you advance, you might want to invest in cheese molds and a press but you can make fresh cheeses like chèvre, ricotta, and simple aged cheeses with minimal equipment. The books I've recommended will walk you through exactly what you need for each recipe.
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Start Your Cheesemaking Journey Today
Learning to make cheese from the milk of your own animals is one of the most rewarding skills I've ever developed. It connects me to generations of cheesemakers before me, provides wholesome food for my family, and turns the daily rhythm of milking into something truly magical.
But it's also a journey—one that takes patience, practice, and yes, a little guidance from those who've gone before us. These books have been my teachers, my troubleshooters, and my inspiration. They've helped me grow from a nervous beginner who couldn't get her curds to form into someone who confidently cultures, ages, and shares cheese with friends and family.
Whether you're still dreaming about dairy sheep or you're already standing at your milking stand each morning, I hope these resources support your journey toward a more self-sufficient, intentional life.
Ready to take the first step? Download my free guide: The Beginner's Guide to Dairy Sheep: 5 Things Every Homesteaders Should Know Before Buying and start planning your dairy sheep journey today!
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