Patent ID: 6375998
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A23L,A23P

Abstract:
A method for preparing a hand-held snack item, said method comprising:(a) preparing an edible, liquid food coating material composed of: (1) a primary edible, liquid food coating material comprising from about 10% to about 90% by weight of a viscosity providing agent, from about 5% to about 80% by weight flavoring ingredients, from 0% to about 90% by weight bulking substance, from 0% to about 30% by weight fatty acid glycerides, and the balance being water; and (2) an edible, heat-sensitive solid food ingredient present in a weight ratio of said primary edible, liquid food coating material to said edible, heat-sensitive solid food ingredient of about 10:1 to about 0.5:1; (b) applying said edible, liquid food coating material to an initial formed hand-held food item to form a coated hand-held food item, wherein said edible, liquid food coating material is applied to said initial formed hand-held food item in such a manner as to substantially completely coat said edible, heat-sensitive solid food ingredient as it is applied to the initial formed hand-held food item as part of said edible, liquid food coating material, and wherein said primary edible, liquid food coating material possesses sufficient physical characteristics to act as a protective medium for said edible, heat-sensitive solid food ingredient when said coated hand-held food item is subjected to a temperature in the range of from about 35Â° C. to about 350Â° C. for a period of time in the range of from about 10 hours to about 30 seconds; and (c) drying said coated hand-held food item in an oven by subjecting said coated hand-held food item to a temperature in the range of from about 35Â° C. to about 350Â° C. for a period of time in the range of from about 10 hours to about 30 seconds, to produce a final, coated hand-held snack item with said edible, heat-sensitive solid food ingredient being substantially intact.