Abstract: The invention provides batter-like compositions including flour or flour replacement ingredient, sweetener, a fat source, and a chemical leavening system, wherein at least a portion of the fat source is provided as an emulsion to the batter-like composition. The resulting batter-like compositions are capable of being formed into discrete product pieces (such as pucks), and maintaining the puck form throughout storage and handling of the batter-like composition prior to baking. The invention further provides methods of preparing batter-like compositions having a discrete form, and methods of using such inventive batter-like compositions to provide baked goods.

Abstract: The present invention provides freezer-to-oven dough products, as well as methods for preparing the dough products. Specifically, the dough products of the present invention include a chemical leavening system comprising a plurality of chemical leavening acids having different temperature ranges within which they are active as chemical leaveners. Such a chemical leavening system provides for the staged rising, i.e., rising that occurs over a wide temperature range and thus during a substantial portion of the cooking cycle, of the dough products of the present invention when cooked. By providing frozen dough products with such a leavening system, the need for a preproofing step prior to freezing, a thawing step or an intervening proofing step prior to cooking is avoided, and yet, the dough product is capable of substantial expansion upon cooking, thereby producing a cooked dough product with excellent visual and organoleptic properties.

Abstract: A water fountain is disclosed for use in residential and commercial environments. The water fountain includes a support frame and a catch basin within which a recirculating pump system is placed. A background flow display surface is attached to the support frame for receiving water thereover from the recirculating pump system. In one embodiment, the water fountain includes a facade connected to the support frame. The facade includes a plurality of apertures such that when the facade is placed over the background flow display surface, a portion of the background flow display surface is visible through the apertures in the facade, thereby permitting visibility of the flowing water as well. The facades may include apertures of various shapes and sizes and in different arrangements. The invention also provides the use of illumination and variable recirculation pumps in order to achieve dramatic visual effects.

Abstract: A sealant for baked goods which reduces the moisture migration into and out of the baked good comprising 40-72% sucrose by weight, 8-30% starch hydrolysate by weight having a DE of 38 or less, and 20-30% water by weight wherein 70-80% of the barrier is comprised of solids. A method for producing the sealant is also disclosed.