Edible fat-based shell for confectioneries and method for producing same

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming an edible fat-based shell upon a packaging support having a desired shape that defines a volume therein. One or more walls of consistent thickness are formed directly on the packaging support from an amount of an edible shell-forming composition. The composition includes one or more fats, and has a plastic viscosity of about 10 to 40 Poise and a yield value of about 50 to 250 dynes/cm2 prior to forming the shell on the support. The walls of the edible fat-based shell preferably have the shape of a cup, cone, or other open top receptacle and a filling is at least partially retained within therein. The shells represent another embodiment of the invention. Prior to consuming the product, the packaging support is removed.