A food composition comprising pulverized corn germ and a fat source is described herein. The germ is derived from an isolated germ source that has not been derived from a wet milling process or extracted with organic solvent. The composition may have a paste form, which may be spreadable or flowable. The composition may include a vitamin and/or a mineral supplement, preferably from natural sources. Colorings and flavorings may be added. Cocoa may be added. The composition can be used in place of peanut butter or other spreads made with priority allergens, and thus can be used in institutional settings that have banned peanut and tree nut products. Methods of formulating the composition, as well as uses therefor, such as in confectionery, are described. The composition may be associated with health benefits.

A bakery premix powder for preparing a donut-type bakery product is provided. The bakery premix powder includes starch, the starch includes hydroxypropyl starch and acetate starch, and a weight ratio of the hydroxypropyl starch to the acetate starch is ranged between 2:1 and 3:1.

A bakery premix powder for preparing a donut-type bakery product is provided. The bakery premix powder includes starch, the starch includes hydroxypropyl starch and acetate starch, and a weight ratio of the hydroxypropyl starch to the acetate starch is ranged between 2:1 and 3:1.

Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets by including a functional ingredient to increase the expansion ratio of the pellets. Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets by including a functional ingredient to decrease the glass transition temperature of the pellets. Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food by including a functional ingredient to decrease the bulk density of the snack food. Reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets having specific expansion ratio and/or glass transition temperature, and reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food products prepared from the pellets. Reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food having specific bulk density.

Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets by including a functional ingredient to increase the expansion ratio of the pellets. Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets by including a functional ingredient to decrease the glass transition temperature of the pellets. Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food by including a functional ingredient to decrease the bulk density of the snack food. Reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets having specific expansion ratio and/or glass transition temperature, and reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food products prepared from the pellets. Reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food having specific bulk density.

A preparation method for a convenient and instant dumpling with a long normal-temperature shelf life includes the following steps: preparation of dough.fwdarw.pressing of dough wrapper.fwdarw.preparation of dumpling wrapper.fwdarw.preparation of stuffing.fwdarw.kneading of dumpling.fwdarw.pre-cooking.fwdarw.canning.fwdarw.sterilization and finished product. By improvement processes in the angle of dough wrapper, stuffing, water migration, dough wrapper adhesion, and taste preservation, the product performance is improved, so that the product may be stored at the normal temperature for at least 12 months and the taste quality may still maintain the same level as fresh dumplings.

A preparation method for a convenient and instant dumpling with a long normal-temperature shelf life includes the following steps: preparation of dough.fwdarw.pressing of dough wrapper.fwdarw.preparation of dumpling wrapper.fwdarw.preparation of stuffing.fwdarw.kneading of dumpling.fwdarw.pre-cooking.fwdarw.canning.fwdarw.sterilization and finished product. By improvement processes in the angle of dough wrapper, stuffing, water migration, dough wrapper adhesion, and taste preservation, the product performance is improved, so that the product may be stored at the normal temperature for at least 12 months and the taste quality may still maintain the same level as fresh dumplings.

A process for the preparation of fat-based confection compositions comprising calcium carbonate and sugars, the process comprising the steps of mixing and heating a composition comprising: non-fat solid particles, fat and emulsifier to form a dispersion, wherein the non-fat solid particles comprise sugars and calcium carbonate; and refining the particles of the dispersion to have a D.sub.v90 of less than 50 microns.

A process for the preparation of fat-based confection compositions comprising calcium carbonate and sugars, the process comprising the steps of mixing and heating a composition comprising: non-fat solid particles, fat and emulsifier to form a dispersion, wherein the non-fat solid particles comprise sugars and calcium carbonate; and refining the particles of the dispersion to have a D.sub.v90 of less than 50 microns.

A leavening composition which gives an enhanced leavening and reduced use of acidulants comprises (1) an alkali metal bicarbonate; (2) at least 0.1 and preferably at least 1 mole per mole of bicarbonate of a precipitant which is a water-soluble alkaline earth metal salt; and (3) optionally an acidulant; wherein (2) and (3) are present in a total amount from 105 to 800% of the stoichiometric amount that would be required to react fully with (1) in a boiling aqueous solution. In a preferred embodiment the acidulant forms a water insoluble calcium or magnesium salt and is sufficient to provide more than 0.105 g replaceable hydrogen per 100 mmol bicarbonate, and the precipitant is a water soluble calcium or magnesium salt which is capable of precipitating or complexing with said acidulant and is present in an amount sufficient to provide a final pH below 6.5 when the leavening agent is heated in a bakery mix, which allows the inclusion of an effective amount of a preservative.