Abstract: A food bar includes a base or crust, along with a cheesecake filling provided on the base. The cheesecake filling is non-flowable and is made with real cream cheese but without the use of preservatives. The cheesecake filling has a water activity of less than 0.6, enabling the filling to exhibit an extensive shelf life without refrigeration.

Abstract: A dry hydrocolloid powder with cold-gel capabilities is produced by: dissolving a hydrocolloid comprising polysaccharide chains in an aqueous solution; heating the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to induce a substantial alteration in the tertiary structure of the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid; cooling the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to substantially return the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid to their original tertiary structure, wherein the polysaccharide chains form a gelling network; and drying the cooled hydrocolloid solution to form a dry powder. In some embodiments, the dry powder has a viscosity of between about 10 and 40 mPa-s when reconstituted in a 2% weight/weight solution at 25 degrees C. In other embodiments, the dry powder has a water absorption of greater than 20 g H2O/g powder.

Abstract: A dry hydrocolloid powder with cold-gel capabilities is produced by: dissolving a hydrocolloid comprising polysaccharide chains in an aqueous solution; heating the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to induce a substantial alteration in the tertiary structure of the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid; cooling the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to substantially return the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid to their original tertiary structure, wherein the polysaccharide chains form a gelling network; and drying the cooled hydrocolloid solution to form a dry powder. In some embodiments, the dry powder has a viscosity of between about 10 and 40 mPa-s when reconstituted in a 2% weight/weight solution at 25 degrees C. In other embodiments, the dry powder has a water absorption of greater than 20 g H2O/g powder.