Abstract: Disclosed is a scarified, whole, dried, infused, buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with 16 millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then scarified and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from 40 to 80 at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C.±5° C. until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about 40. The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C. until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peeled whole dried infused buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with 16 millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then peeled and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from 40 to 80 at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C.±5° C. until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about 40. The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C. until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%. The final dried infused cranberry preferably has a Brix of 76 to 84.

Abstract: A method of producing a raisin from a grape is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of diffusing a portion of natural sugar out of a grape. The grape has an outer skin enclosing pulp and liquid. The natural sugar is diffused to reduce a sweetness of the grape from an original level of sweetness. The method includes the step of infusing an alternative sweetener into the grape after the diffusing step. The amount of artificial sweetener infused by the grape substantially compensates for the loss of sweetness associated with the portion of natural sugar that was diffused out the grape during said diffusing step. The method includes the step of dehydrating the grape to produce a raisin having a sweetness defined by the combination of natural sugar and alternative sweetener.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a high definition three-dimensional aerated confection piece. The process comprises forming a dried aerated confection and then compression molding the confection to form the high definition piece. The process permits inclusion of a wide range of materials into the molded dried aerated confection. Preferably the process uses marbits, dehydrated marshmallows, or dried meringue. The molded pieces retain excellent buoyancy in liquids such as milk and hot cocoa mixes. Preferably the molded pieces are incorporated into ready to eat cereals, hot cocoa mixes, snacks and other food products.

Abstract: A baking assembly for preparing a baked filled waffle is disclosed. The baking assembly comprises an upper plate and a lower plate each of the plates having a baking surface with a plurality of outer pyramids and a plurality of inner pyramids. Each of the outer pyramids have a height that is greater than the height of the inner pyramids. The upper plate is receivable on the lower plate and when so received the outer pyramids of the upper plate align with the outer pyramids of the inner plate to form a plurality of pinch points. The inner pyramids of the upper plate align with the inner pyramids of the lower plate when the upper plate is received on the lower plate and thereby form a pocket region defined between the inner pyramids of the upper plate and the inner pyramids of the lower plate.