A method of preparing a free-flowing, edible composition, comprising first and second edible materials, having first and second function-release profiles respectively, comprising: combining the first and second edible materials in dry particulate form; and heating said combination to a forming temperature, which is at least equal to the glass transition temperature of the first edible material, with concurrent mixing, so as to coat particles of the first edible material with a plurality of particles of the second edible material, thereby forming composite particles of said composition. Each of the first and second edible materials may be mixed with other edible materials prior to their combination. Also a free-flowing edible composition comprising a plurality of composite particles, each composite particle comprising a core of the first edible material provided with a discontinuous surface coating formed from a plurality of particles of the second edible material.