Abstract: Method for injecting a sauce into a frozen food product. An embodiment of the method includes the step of inserting a nozzle having one or more openings along the lateral surface of the nozzle to a depth below the surface of a frozen food product, such as ice cream or frozen yogurt, contained in a package. The sauce is injected laterally outward from the one or more openings in the nozzle. In some embodiments, the sauce deposit generally has a cross-sectional profile with a lateral dimension that is greater than its vertical dimension as opposed to a more bulbous shape.

Abstract: Described are dough compositions and methods, wherein the dough composition is prepared using a metabolized portion of dough comprising bubbles, metabolically active yeast, and developed dough matrix, combined with non-metabolized yeast, and wherein the dough composition preferably has useful properties such as yeast-leavened freezer-to-oven capabilities, without the need for chemical leavening agents or modified atmosphere packaging.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism is mounted to a tub of a dough mixing apparatus including an internal mixing chamber having a rotatable agitator assembly for forming dough. After the dough is formed, the tub is rotated and the cutting mechanism is automatically shifted from a non-cutting position, wherein an elongated blade element of the cutting mechanism is located remote from the agitator assembly so as to not interfere with the dough forming process in the internal mixing chamber, to a cutting position, wherein the elongated blade element is arranged directly adjacent an operational path of mixing elements of the agitator assembly to slice the dough, whereupon the dough readily falls from the agitator assembly for enhanced discharge of the dough from the tub. The cutting mechanism can be integrated into a breaker bar or separately mounted in the tub.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for forming a rolled cookie dough configuration for shipment, display and storage. The rolled configuration can be frozen and/or refrigerated and be subsequently unrolled prior to use. The cookie dough can be formulated so as to unroll into a flat sheet configuration without cracking, breaking and/or sticking together. When unrolled, the flat sheet configuration can be sliced/cut with cookie cutters to create specially shaped cookie units for baking. Excess dough can be trimmed and rerolled for further cutting with a cookie cutter.

Abstract: Described are developed, refrigerator-stable, dough compositions in low pressure packages and related methods, wherein the dough compositions contain chemical leavening agents that include an encapsulated basic agent.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions relating to non-developed dough compositions leavened by chemical leavening systems that include an encapsulated basic chemical leavening agent, wherein the dough composition can be refrigerated in a low pressure package and can exhibit desired browning upon baking.

Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.

Abstract: High fiber-containing pastry products are described. The high fiber-containing pastry products typically comprise about 5-10 grams of fiber in a 54 gram serving of the pastry. The high fiber-containing pastry products comprise a fried laminated dough piece prepared from a developed dough that comprises, inter alia, wheat flour, resistant wheat starch, and vital wheat gluten. The use of a reduced amount of wheat flour along with the addition of resistant wheat starch and vital wheat gluten enables the production of a dough composition that has a high fiber content while retaining desirable organoleptic and processing characteristics.

Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention provides a trans fat replacement system that is a stable and shelf storable mixture of an edible oil and an expanded, low-density carbohydrate for use in preparing baked goods having a reduced trans fat content. Depending upon formulation and processing, the mixture can have a consistency ranging from generally granular to an almost paste-like consistency. The trans fat replacement system consists of at least one edible oil and an expanded, low-density carbohydrate having a bulk density less than about 0.4 g/cc. The trans fat replacement system can be used to reduce or eliminate the amounts of traditional fats used to make baked goods. In one representative formulation, the trans fat replacement system can take the form of a generally, paste-like mixture that is suitable for spreading and is especially useful for the preparation of laminated dough products such as biscuits and croissants.

Abstract: Described are dough products that contain a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating contains a hydrophilic colloid, oil, plasticizer, and water, and functions as a moisture barrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately and repeatably depositing edible particulates on edible products. A dual-drum rotary feed system accurately meters an amount of edible particle for each edible product with a first rotary drum while a second rotary drum deposits the edible particulates onto or within the edible product. The dual-drum rotary feeder can comprise replaceable drums wherein drums can be quickly removed and replaced for cleaning, sanitization and to adjust processing conditions such as, for example, changes in production rates and/or product size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking, imprinting or applying a pattern, design or mark to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from a sheet of food product is described. In one aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of supplying a sheet of food product, marking the plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product, and dividing, at least partially, the individual pieces of food product from the sheet of food product. In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus may generally include a support frame, a cutting plate, and a marking head. The cutting plate preferably includes a plurality of cutting openings and an engagement surface capable of supporting and positioning a sheet of food product. The cutting openings preferably correspond to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product.

Abstract: Cheese compositions and methods of making cheese compositions, including methods of formulating cheese compositions are provided. Cheese compositions of the invention include casein protein, non-casein protein, non-pregelatinized, modified starch, and a fat component having a low amount of trans-fat (e.g., about 5% or less of trans-fat by weight of the fat component) while at the same time substantially maintaining and/or improving properties (e.g., processing properties, organoleptic properties, combinations of these, and the like) of the cheese composition.

Abstract: A system for removing trim from sheet dough including a belt defined by an upper edge, lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein a plurality of brushes extend from the lower edge of the belt at an orientation substantially perpendicular to the lower edge, an idler sprocket in communication with the interior surface of the belt, and a motor configured to rotate the belt about the idler sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cheese compositions and methods of making cheese compositions, including methods of formulating cheese compositions. Cheese compositions of the present invention include casein protein, non-casein protein, and non-pregelatinized, modified starch. Methods of making cheese compositions according to the present invention relate to making cheese compositions that include casein protein, non-casein protein, and non-pregelatinized, modified starch. Methods of formulating cheese compositions of the present invention include reducing an amount casein protein by replacing it with an amount of non-pregelatinized, modified starch and an amount of non-casein protein.