(07/22/25) BATON ROUGE, La. — The LSU AgCenter Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) and the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences will continue the demonstration series Unlocking the Secrets of Food Sciences, delving into food science with a culinary twist.

The next series session, which will focus on filled toaster pastries, will be held Friday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the test kitchen at the Animal and Food Sciences Laboratory Building on the LSU campus at 39 Forestry Ln.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn how to make homemade filled toaster pastries.

"For this series, we are collaborating, sharing the science behind filled toaster pastries and how the consistency of the sweet filling is sealed inside the two layers without bleeding through," said Shannon Coleman, associate professor and state consumer food safety specialist in the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Coleman will work with LSU AgCenter assistant director of FOODii Ashley Gutierrez and seafood extension specialist Evelyn Watts. Each will bring their unique food science experiences to the session.

The fruit-filled pastries event will include:

• Expert insight: Filled toaster pastries have a pastry shell that must be engineered to be shelf-stable while also maintaining the crisp texture. The filling must gel perfectly at room temperature with the use of stabilizers like pectin to prevent leaking.
• Hands-on customization: Participants will roll the dough, fill, seal and bake the pastry to the desired temperature. They also will be able to customize by decorating with fun frosting and candy toppings.
• Innovative techniques: Discover cutting-edge techniques that can be done in your kitchen through discussions about low moisture content, preservatives and proper packaging.

Space is limited, and registration is required. The cost to attend is $50, and each participant will leave with their filled toaster pastries. Registration is available for kids aged 10 and older, but they must be accompanied by an adult (additional $10).

Register at http://bit.ly/44Yf9Z4 by Aug. 2 or contact Ashley Gutierrez at AGutierrez@agcenter.lsu.edu for more information.

Watts said they plan to offer the series every other month. Future topics include “sea-cuterie” boards and holiday gingerbread decorating. Learn more at http://bit.ly/3GY5yJV.