Abstract: Medium chain triglyceride oils are interesterified with long chain domestic oils in order to form interesterified structured lipids. These structured lipids find special application in pan release cooking compositions and methods. The products have a relatively low viscosity of between about 20 and about 52 centipoise while having a smoke point which is especially suitable for cooking applications.

Abstract: Butters are made from high oleic vegetable oils during a procedure by which a large percentage of the oleic acid is transformed into trans-configured elaidic acid, without significantly increasing the saturated fat present in the high oleic vegetable oil. The vegetable oils have an initial oleic acid content of at least about 75 weight percent, with the hard butter made from it being a high elaidic hard fat having at least about 65% trans-configured elaidic acid. The preferred process is a single-step procedure of hydrogenation in the presence of a deadened catalyst such as a sulfur-poisoned nickel catalyst.

Abstract: The computer imaging analysis of bakery products for quality control and other purposes is disclosed. Apparatus and methods useful in such analysis are disclosed. The methods are useful on all types of bakery products. They can be used to analyze for parameters, such as size, shape, area and volume. They can also be used to analyze holes, grain or crust. Viewable images may be provided. The parameters can be compared with prescribed specifications and can be used on a plurality of products to determine substantial uniformity.

Abstract: A pelletized shortening is prepared by a process which includes melting, cooling, solidifying and extruding natural and/or synthetic shortening materials to provide shortening pellets or chunks which, without requiring further processing, resist clumping together at at least moderate temperatures of about 70.degree. F. (about 21.degree. C.). The pelletized shortening has a hardness or solids profile which is especially suitable for baking applications and imparts a tenderizing effect in bakery type products while still providing a shortening in a form that is easy to handle inasmuch as it is pourable or able to be metered in a flowing particulate style. While it has relatively high solids at room temperature or storage conditions, the solids content of the pelletized shortening dissipates rapidly enough such that the solids reduction will provide the desired tenderizing effect in dough products including biscuits and pizza crusts.

Abstract: Food coating compositions are disclosed which are based on a high percentage of corn starch. The compositions preferably contain lower percentages of tapioca starch. The compositions may also contain potato starch, tapioca dextrin, rice flour, leavening agent, xanthan gum, whey or nonfat milk, colorants and flavorants. The coatings may be advantageously used to coat vegetable products, including potato, to enhance flavor and other characteristics.

Abstract: A sweet dough dry mix is provided which incorporates highly viscous carboxymethyl cellulose in combination with hard wheat flour. When used to make up a sweet dough, the resulting dough exhibits enhanced handling when compared with similar formulations which do not incorporate the combination. Also provided are products baked from the sweet dough. These products have noticeably enhanced height and structured evenness, and they better retard staling when compared with other doughs omitting the carboxymethyl cellulose.

Abstract: An easily removed sleeve is provided for use within bulk containers of viscous product such as fruit fillings and fruit chunks. The sleeve has an open bottom and an inside surface which, when used, is positioned between the product and the sidewall of the container. The sleeve is readily removable from between the container and the viscous product by simple grasping and pulling by hand.

Abstract: A pelletized shortening is prepared by a process which includes melting, cooling, solidifying and extruding vegetable oil to provide shortening pellets or chunks which, without requiring further processing, resist clumping together at at least moderate temperatures of about 70.degree. F. (about 21.degree. C.). The pelletized shortening has a hardness or solid fat profile which is especially suitable for baking applications and imparts a tenderizing effect in bakery type products while still providing a shortening in a form that is easy to handle inasmuch as it is pourable or able to be metered in a flowing particulate style. While it has relatively high solids at room temperature or storage conditions, the solids content of the pelletized shortening dissipates rapidly enough such that the solids reduction will provide the desired tenderizing effect in dough products including biscuits and pizza crusts.

Abstract: Essentially sugar-free bakery goods, such as cakes, donuts, muffins and the like, that are formed from a batter mixture that includes (in the pre-baked form) about 15% to about 25% by weight (solids basis) of starch hydrolysate comprising polyhydroxy oligomers, predominantly having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1-3, e.g., HYSTAR.RTM. 5875 from Lonza Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; about 10% to about 25% water; about 10% to about 20% oil or fat; and about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of a high potency, sugar-free sweetening agent, such as aspartame. Other typical ingredients used in forming a dough for baking also are included, such as a protein source, e.g.

Abstract: Essentially sugar-free bakery goods, such as cakes, muffins and the like, that are formed from a better mixture that includes (in the pre-baked form) about 15% to about 25% by weight (solids basis) of starch hydrolysate comprising polyhydroxy oligomers, predominantly having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1-3, e.g., HYSTAR.RTM. 5875 from Lonza Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; about 10% to about 25% water; about 10% to about 20% oil or fat; and about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of a high potency, sugar-free sweetening agent, such as aspartame. Other typical ingredients used in forming a dough for baking also are included, such as a protein source, e.g., flour, wheat gluten and/or modified corn starch, in combined amounts of about 15% to about 25%; one or more leavening agents, such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium aluminum phosphate; and one or more emulsifiers to aid in forming a homogeneous dough mixture, to tenderize the baked product and aid in aerating the dough during mixing and homogenization.

Abstract: Essentially sugar-free bakery goods, such as cakes, donuts, muffins and the like, that are formed from a batter mixture that includes (in the pre-baked form) about 15% to about 25% by weight (solids basis) of starch hydrolysate comprising polyhydroxy oligomers, predominantly having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1-3, e.g., HYSTAR.RTM. 5875 from Lonza Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; about 10% to about 25% water; about 10% to about 20% oil or fat; and about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of a high potency, sugar-free sweetening agent, such as aspartame. Other typical ingredients used in forming a dough for baking also are included, such as a protein source, e.g.

Abstract: A batter mix for foodstuffs which provides a reconstituted food product having a tender and crisp exterior and a moist interior. A frozen food product comprising a foodstuff coated with the batter mix, like French fries, can be reconstituted by a variety of heat sources, including a microwave oven.

Abstract: Bakery compositions and baked goods which have taste and organoleptic properties equal to or superior to the same types of products prepared in accordance with traditional, full fat formulations, have substantially reduced fat contents. One or both of a dough formulation and a roll-in spread positioned between layers of the rolled dough formulation have substantially reduced fat contents. A fat substitute which is substantially fat free or contains only very low levels of fat is incorporated into either or both of the dough formulation and of the roll-in formulation.

Abstract: A reduced calorie bakery filling having enriched natural flavor is disclosed. The bakery filling, like a fruit bakery filling, has a substantially reduced level of sweeteners and a reduced level of starch to provide a predetermined reduction in the caloric content. The esthetic properties of the bakery filling are not adversely affected by reducing the amount of sweeteners and starches and the natural flavor of the bakery filling is maintained or enhanced.

Abstract: Shortening compositions containing a lauric fat component such as coconut oil are provided in a form in which they are pourable and which have a eutectic characteristic wherein the solids content of the shortening composition is lower than the combined respective solids contents of the individual ingredients thereof, including a shortening base liquid edible oil component, the lauric fat component and, when desired, a flake component.

Abstract: A liquid shortening emulsifier system is prepared for incorporation into chemically leavened baking formulations in order to provide baked products exhibiting enhanced moistness, both initially and when subjected to normal storage conditions. The liquid shortening emulsifier system includes, in addition to vegetable oil components, a combination of propylene glycol monoesters and of polycarboxylic acid esters of mono-diglycerides, particularly diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono-diglycerides, succinic acid esters of mono-diglycerides, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are pourable even though they may contain substantial amounts of a butter component such as whole, real butter. The shortening compositions have a eutectic characteristic wherein the solids content of the shortening composition is lower than the combined respective solids contents of the individual ingredients thereof, including a shortening base component such as an edible oil, the butter component and, when desired, a flake component. These shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.

Abstract: Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are shelf-stable to the extent that they can be stored at room temperatures for extended periods of time. These compositions can be formulated so as to be pourable, and they contain up to about 20 weight percent or more of a butter component such as whole, real butter, together with relatively low levels of water and supersaturated levels of salt or the like. The shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.