Abstract: Methods and products related to a cereal product having a water activity of about 0.4 or more and an SAG content of greater than about 15 g per 100 g of cereal product.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and compositions of to a soft textured product comprising a biscuit and a filler, wherein the biscuit and filler are combined to form a soft textured product having a residual force ratio of greater than about 32 and an SAG of greater than about 12.

Abstract: A grain-based, soft and creamy food filling that is heat-stable is provided. By one approach, the grain-based food filling may include a continuous lipid phase and a dispersed solid including a grain-derived component.

Abstract: Methods and products related to a cereal product having a water activity of about 0.4 or more and an SAG content of greater than about 15 g per 100 g of cereal product.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and compositions of to a soft textured product comprising a biscuit and a filler, wherein the biscuit and filler are combined to form a soft textured product having a residual force ratio of greater than about 32 and an SAG of greater than about 12.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to a baked dough-based component based on a pre-baked heat-treated flour, the baked dough-based component having a first fat concentration and a crispy texture; and a baked fat-based component in direct contact with the baked dough-based component, having a second fat concentration that is higher than the first fat concentration, the baked fat-based component having a soft texture; wherein the foodstuff exhibits a dual texture comprising a crispy texture of the dough-based component and a soft texture of the fat-based component, and wherein the dual texture is maintained throughout the shelf life of the foodstuff.

Abstract: A low-calorie nutrition energy food bar with high fiber and reduced sugar alcohol contents, which have excellent flavor and multi-texture properties, is provided. The food bar has less than 110 Cal/28 g serving, and includes a core component comprising, as a unitary matrix, protein crisps, caramel, water-soluble dietary fiber, and a binder system; a caramel component; and the core component and caramel components are enrobed with a compound coating layer. The low-calorie food bar has a high protein core component and a caramel component formulated with high water-soluble dietary fiber content which is cohesive, crunchy yet soft/moist enough to be chewable, and flavorful throughout the product's shelf life.

Abstract: Shelf-stable, savory, filled food products including at least two components having different textures and methods for making the food products are provided herein. The food products have a shelf life of at least about six months when stored at about 70° F. in hermetically sealed film packaging. The savory filled food products have an intermediate water activity (e.g., about 0.5 to about 0.8), which promotes increased shelf life at room temperature.

Abstract: A grain-based, soft and creamy food filling that is heat-stable is provided. By one approach, the grain-based food filling may include a continuous lipid phase and a dispersed solid including a grain-derived component.

Abstract: A method of producing a cereal bar is provided in which the cereal comprises a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces joined together with a binder, where the cereal and binder together form a cereal matrix which is heated for a time and temperature to reduce the water activity of the external portion thereof while maintaining an internal portion of the cereal matrix at a higher second water activity. The method provides cereal bars requiring less compressive force to be formed into a cohesive self-supporting structure in providing a chewy reduced-density cereal bar with improved shelf life.

Abstract: A single serving of a food product can comprise a first cracker, a second cracker, and a non-cracker filling disposed between these crackers to form a cracker-and-filling sandwich. By one approach, the cracker-and-filling sandwich is sized and comprised of ingredients such that eating the cracker-and-filling sandwich as a between-meal snack satisfactorily sates an average adult human being's appetite. By one approach, these crackers have savory shelf-stable filling. By another approach, the savory shelf-stable filling includes a particulate component, such as a particulate meat component. By this approach, the shelf-stable savory filling has a low water activity and covers at least 50 percent of the surface area of the meat particles.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for a food binder that, when blended with a solid nut blend, provides a cohesive shelf-stable low water activity product that is chewy and has high lubricity (i.e., not tooth-compacting). One embodiment of a binder composition can have an aqueous based syrup in a range from about 33 to 74 percent weight; sucrose in a range from about 10 to 35 percent weight; polyhydric alcohol in a range from about 2 to 20 percent weight; fat in a range from about 2 to 30 percent weight; and an emulsifier in the range from about 0.5 to 2 percent weight. In a preferred embodiment, the syrup/sucrose:fat:polyhydric alcohol ratio is about 9:3:1 respectively by weight. Also, in a product using the binder, the binder can be in the range of about 25 to 35 percent weight and have an Aw less than about 0.35.

Abstract: A shelf stable intermediate moisture baked food product having moisture retention and migration control and methods of manufacture is provided. In one embodiment, the shelf life extending moisture control system for an intermediate moisture developed food composition has a humectant blend, a hydrocolloid blend, and a hydrophobic blend. Another embodiment provides developed food composition having a water activity (AW) range of about 0.5 to 0.75. A method to manufacture a food composition can first develop a humectant/hydrocolloid matrix, then coating it with a hydrophobic oil/emulsifier blend. This hydrophobic surface coating on an already formed matrix creates a desired moisture barrier, while the humectants/hydrocolloids inhibit moisture migration.

Abstract: A protein system for food products containing a moisture source is provided having a combination of intact proteins, casein, and partially hydrolyzed dairy protein and partially hydrolyzed legume protein in a total amount effective to reduce mixing time and/or shear requirements, and reduce firmness development during processing and storage of the food products to increase shelf life. The reduced firmness is achieved without embittering the food product by using a protein blend delivering a unique balance of partially hydrolyzed and intact proteins, and casein. Methods of making the food products with the protein blends are also covered.

Abstract: A low-calorie whole grain cereal bars is provided that includes whole grain and binder in amounts effective for providing a cereal bar with at least about 15 weight % or more whole grain, at least about 5 weight % or more protein, about 5 weight % or more fiber, and at least 120 or less calories per 28 gram bar. The cereal bars are low in calories but still provide a good source of whole grain and fiber while maintaining an acceptable taste and organoleptic properties.

Abstract: A cereal bar and its method of production is provided, in which the cereal bar comprises a pressed mixture including (I) a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces and a first binder, (ii) a filler comprising a plurality of discrete agglomerates in which the agglomerates individually comprise a plurality of particles comprising milk protein product joined together with a second binder, and the first binder binds the cereal pieces and the agglomerates together. The cereal bars of the present invention provide nutritional value without sacrificing taste and flavor, as well as possess a reasonable shelf life during which the texture remains chewy without being sticky, hard, or crumbly.

Abstract: A cereal bar and its method of production is provided, in which the cereal bar comprises a pressed mixture including (I) a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces and a first binder, (ii) a filler comprising a plurality of discrete agglomerates in which the agglomerates individually comprise a plurality of particles comprising milk protein product joined together with a second binder, and the first binder binds the cereal pieces and the agglomerates together. The cereal bars of the present invention provide nutritional value without sacrificing taste and flavor, as well as possess a reasonable shelf life during which the texture remains chewy without being sticky, hard, or crumbly.

Abstract: A baked, shelf-stable, hand-held snack bar comprised of a crust and a smooth, creamy cheesecake-like filling. The crust surrounds the bottom and longitudinal sides of the bar. The filing is exposed on its top surface. The filing and crust are each formulated to water activity of 0.60-0.90 and the filling has a milk fat content of less than 10%.

Abstract: A cream cheese product storable at normal room temperature for at least 6 months without substantial bacteriological deterioration comprising cream cheese, including cream cheese analogs and substitutes, and an edible acid in an amount sufficient to provide a pH of less than about 4.5, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A baked food product comprised of a yeast-leavened, bread-like crust completely enrobing a cheese filling. The product may be shaped for reheating in a toaster or toaster oven or on a grill. The filling may have particulate food particulates added, such as diced meat and/or vegetables.