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: 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 method is provided for producing individual dough products, comprising the steps of conveying a continuous dough sheet along a travel path, engaging a first die cutter with a first portion of the dough sheet to cut a first portion of the peripheral shape of at least one dough product, then conveying the continuous dough sheet along the travel path and engaging the second die cutter with the first portion of the dough sheet to cut a second portion of the peripheral shape of at least one dough product.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating wheat grain, including reducing the amount of active enzymes in a milled wheat grain by treating a portion of the wheat grain that includes one or more of wheat bran or wheat germ to deactivate enzymes; as well as flour and dough compositions prepared from the treated portion of wheat grain.

Abstract: Described are dough compositions and methods of preparing dough compositions, raw and baked, including preferred methods and compositions wherein chemical leavening agents are encapsulated by a degradable barrier material to control their reaction until a time during baking, wherein the encapsulated chemical leavening agents at least partially leaven the dough composition during baking, and wherein the encapsulated chemical leavening agents are uniformly incorporated into the dough composition or dough ingredients by methods that limit shear damage to the encapsulated particles.

Abstract: Described is a packaged dough product comprising a dough composition in a flexible package and including encapsulated basic chemical leavening agent and non-encapsulated acidic chemical leavening agent, the packaged dough product containing a carbon dioxide scavenger to reduce bulging of the packaged product during storage.

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: Described are methods for preparing frozen dough compositions that exhibit desirable frozen storage stability and that can also exhibit desirable baked organoleptic (e.g., taste, smell, and texture) properties, as well as related methods.

Abstract: Rapid, efficient, and systematic processes and apparatuses for making repeatable imprints on multiple, individual sweet dough pieces are provided. An advantage of the process is the ease of making uniform imprints that are aligned with the individual dough pieces as formed and deposited. Such provides the ability to create a three-dimensional pattern on the surface of a sweet dough piece, particularly a soft cookie dough piece. The methods can be accomplished by high-speed wire cutting production methods as well as other dough piece depositing apparatuses, such as roller-type depositors.