Patent ID: 7431955
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: A23L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for making cereal bars, comprising: mixing a carbohydrate-gelatin binder containing less than 30% by weight of fat with a cereal composition having identifiable cereal pieces to form an amorphous mass, the carbohydrate-gelatin binder produced by a batch binder process comprising: combining soy protein and fat to form a slurry; mixing the slurry with a heated sugar solution and with substantially translucent hydrated gelatin, the heated sugar solution containing syrups, glycerin and sugar; compressing the amorphous mass into a first layer and a second layer, each layer having identifiable cereal pieces and a bulk density about 1.5 to 2 times higher than the amorphous mass; applying a filling layer on the first layer at a temperature sufficient to bond the filling layer to the first layer wherein the filling layer is a visible milk filling layer having a water activity of between about 0.25 and 0.35, the filling layer made by combining milk powder, sweeteners and fat; combining the first layer and filling layer with the second layer at a temperature sufficient to bond the second layer to the filling layer; and pressing the first layer, filling layer and second layer together to form pressed layers, wherein the pressed layers are cut into individual cereal bars having identifiable cereal pieces, each cereal bar having a total nutrient level equal to or greater than the nutrient level of a single serving of ready-to-eat cereal and milk.