Abstract: Disclosed is method for enhancing the shelf life of a baked good. Shelf life is defined as maintaining the % moisture, water activity, and organoleptically perceived tenderness and moistness of the baked good while preventing drying out and hardening of the baked good during storage at room temperature. In the disclosed method the baked good, preferably as it comes out of the baking apparatus, is topically coated with a primary lipid-based coating oil on all surfaces. The primary lipid-based coating oil, which is largely a solid at room temperature, is applied at a temperature above its melting point. The primary lipid-based coating oil preferably has a solid fat content at 20° C. of at least 68%. The baked good is then allowed to cool permitting the primary lipid-based coating oil to penetrate the baked good and to solidify. The coated baked good is then coated with a secondary lipid-based coating comprising a compound coating or a chocolate coating.

Abstract: Ready-to-eat, low or no fat granola cereal is prepared from a 60% to 85% cereal base by coating the cereal base with 10% to 30% sugars and drying. The granola cereal product contains little or no added fat and from 30% to 50% cereal flakes, 10% to 40% other cereal ingredients including 5% to 20% crisp rice, 5% to 20% rolled grains and up to 20% cereal flour. Optionally from 1% to 5% maltodextrin is added to tackify the product.