Abstract: The present invention pertains to a synergistic sweetening composition having a delayed and enhanced sweetness effect which comprises an intense sweetening agent such as a chlorodeoxysugar derivative and a bulking agent comprising at least about 50% maltitol. The synergistic sweetening composition may be used in a wide variety of ingestible products such as hard and soft confections, chewing gum compositions and the like. The present invention also pertains to methods for preparing the synergistic sweetening compositions and the ingestible products in which they may be used.