Abstract: Reduced-fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The lipid-based fillings can be used in a variety of food products. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based filling comprises at least about 20% non-digestible lipid and other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, the filling is a cheese filling. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (c) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate to form a food product.

Abstract: Creamy, reduced fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% non-digestible lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate, but are especially suitable for use in random packed food products, especially sandwich biscuits. Sandwich biscuits made with the fillings adhere well to the biscuits so that the sandwich biscuits are not misaligned, smeared, or subject to splitting or decapping in production or after storage.

Abstract: Reduced saturated fat lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent.

Abstract: Reduced-fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The lipid-based fillings can be used in a variety of food products. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based filling comprises at least about 20% non-digestible lipid and other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, the filling is a cheese filling. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (c) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate to form a food product.

Abstract: Filled snacks, particularly filled snacks having creamy lipid-based fillings and crispy-crunchy shells. The creaminess of the filling is maintained even though it is subjected to heat during co-baking with the shell. In one embodiment, the filled snack comprises: (a) an outer shell of from about 0.07 to about 0.3 inches after baking; and (b) a lipid-based filling having a viscosity of less than about 10,000 cP before baking. In a preferred embodiment, a lipid-based nut filling is prepared from a process comprising the steps of: (1) providing a nut paste; (2) defatting a first nut paste portion to form a defatted nut flour; (3) milling the defatted nut flour to form a mono-modal nut solids flour; and (4) refatting the mono-modal nut solids flour to form the nut filling by combining the mono-modal nut solids flour with a re-fatting ingredient selected from the group consisting of added oil, a second nut paste portion, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Creamy, reduced fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% non-digestible lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate, but are especially suitable for use in random packed food products, especially sandwich biscuits. Sandwich biscuits made with the fillings adhere well to the biscuits so that the sandwich biscuits are not misaligned, smeared, or subject to splitting or decapping in production or after storage.

Abstract: Full-fat, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free snack food products with enhanced flavor. The enhanced flavor is obtained by incorporating flavor enhancers, particulates, Vitamin C, herbs & spices, or mixtures thereof into the dough.