MICROWAVEABILITY OF BAKED PRODUCTS

- 11 -IMPROVED MICROWAVEABILITY OF BAKED PRODUCTS Abstract of the Invention The present invention is directed to a method for providing a low-fat frozen cooked dough product which substantially retains its palatability upon microwave reheating from the frozen state. The method of the invention includes the steps of mixing ingredients comprising flour, water and a leavening agent to form a dough. The dough contains less than 2% fat. After fully proofing the dough, the dough is contacted with steam as the sole source of heat used to cook the dough. Thereafter, the cooked dough is frozen. The frozen cooked dough may then be subjected to microwave heating by the end user to provide a palatable warmed, cooked dough product which has retained its palatability, is not tough, and is substantially similar in taste and appearance to counterpart dough product which has been cooked by conventional convection baking. The cooked dough product is preferably a bagel type dough product, but may be any low-fat dough, such as pizza crust.