Abstract:
Improved dehydrated marshmallow products and methods of forming the products are provided. Broadly, the products are formed from a mixture comprising sugar, water, and a protein or protein-containing ingredient other than gelatin. The protein is preferably present at a level of at least about 4% by weight, based upon the total weight of the mixture taken as 100% by weight. In one embodiment the products comprise additional ingredients such as flour or other fillers, chemical gassing compounds (e. g. , sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, and sodium aluminum phosphate), flavoring agents, coloring agents, and preservatives. The processes by which the marshmallows are formed comprise mixing the ingredients to yield a doughy mixture, forming the mixture into the desired shapes without starch application, and drying the shapes to yield the final expanded products which have a bulk density of less than about 23 lbs/ft.