Abstract: The present invention provides shelf-stable shredded cheeses and methods of preparing such shelf-stable shredded cheeses using a combination of a natural or process cheese, a cheese powder, glycerin, and a filler. The shredded cheeses of this invention are shelf-stable at ambient temperatures, have good organoleptic properties, and exhibit good melt restriction and essentially no browning upon melting. The shredded cheeses of this invention are especially adapted for incorporated into, or use on or with, snack foods (e.g., chips) for retail sale which can be stored at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-standard cheese products and their methods of manufacture. More particularly, this invention is directed to the manufacture of cheese products by blending a cheese analog or a cream cheese substitute, a standard cheese having the desired flavor profile, and an acidified dairy slurry. The non-standard cheese products of the present invention have functional and organoleptic properties similar to standard cheese products in spite of reduced levels of cholesterol and saturated fats. The non-standard cheese products of the present invention are soft and easily blended with other food ingredients, making them ideally suited for use as ingredients in industrial food applications (e.g., baked products, dessert fillings, icings, and the like). Especially preferred non-standard cheese products of this invention include soft cheeses such as, for example, cream cheese and Neufchatel cheese.

Abstract: The present invention provides shelf-stable shredded cheeses and methods of preparing such shelf-stable shredded cheeses using a combination of a natural or process cheese, a cheese powder, glycerin, and a filler. The shredded cheeses of this invention are shelf-stable at ambient temperatures, have good organoleptic properties, and exhibit good melt restriction and essentially no browning upon melting. The shredded cheeses of this invention are especially adapted for incorporated into, or use on or with, snack foods (e.g., chips) for retail sale which can be stored at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-standard cheese products and their methods of manufacture. More particularly, this invention is directed to the manufacture of cheese products by blending a cheese analog or a cream cheese substitute, a standard cheese having the desired flavor profile, and an acidified dairy slurry. The non-standard cheese products of the present invention have functional and organoleptic properties similar to standard cheese products in spite of reduced levels of cholesterol and saturated fats. The non-standard cheese products of the present invention are soft and easily blended with other food ingredients, making them ideally suited for use as ingredients in industrial food applications (e.g., baked products, dessert fillings, icings, and the like). Especially preferred non-standard cheese products of this invention include soft cheeses such as, for example, cream cheese and Neufchatel cheese.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a modification of the frosting composition disclosed in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 640,429, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,576, to utilize the fat replacement composition of that application for use in a cookie filling. The present invention is directed to a cookie cream filling composition comprising between about 60 and about 85% sweetener, between about 0.1 and about 1% gelling agent, such as a gum, pectin or gelatin, between about 0.1 and about 2% flavoring agents and other minor ingredients such as preservatives, etc., between about 0.2 and about 1.5% of a starch, between about 3 and about 10% of the fat replacement composition, between about 10 and about 20% of high fructose corn syrup and between about 10 and 20% of a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerine, glycol and pentaerythritol. The cookie filling composition has a water activity of from about 0.25 to about 0.37. The cookie filling compositions of the present invention contain no added water.