Food product and method of preparation

Abstract

Disclosed are aerated food products, especially marshmallows, having a nutritionally fortifying ingredient and improved methods for a method for preparation. The aerated food products comprise 50 to 98% of a saccharide component; about 0.5 to 30% of a structuring agent; about 1 to 30% moisture; about 0.01% to 15% of nutritional fortifying ingredient selected from the group consisting of biologically active components, fiber, micro-nutrients, minerals and mixtures thereof. The aerated food products have a density of about 0.1 to 1.0 g/cc. The methods of preparation comprise the steps of: A. providing a liquid sugar confection blend comprising: about 50 to 98% of a saccharide component; about 1 to 30% moisture; and, about 1 to 30% (dry weight basis) of a foam structuring agent; B. adding the liquid confection blend about 0.01% to 45% of a dry particulate having a particle size distribution such that 90% have a particle size of less than 400 μm to form a liquid confection blend; aerating the liquid confection blend to form an aerated confection plastic foam having a density of about 0.1 to 1.0 g/cc and; extruding the aerated foam at a temperature of about 105 to 150° F. to form an aerated confection extrudate; cooling the extrudate to solidify the confection to form a set aerated confection extrudate; forming the set aerated confection extrudate into pieces; and, drying the pieces to a moisture content of about 1 to 5% to form dried aerated confection pieces. Dried calcium fortified aerated marshmallow food products find particular suitability for use as ingredients for children's RTE cereals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.