The invention provides an uncooked, unspun intimately mixed confectionery composition having sufficient internal cohesively to be handled without losing its integrity as a mass, said composition being substantially free of unbound water and having substantially no phase separation of moisture, containing:(i) a saccharide based component; (ii) a hydrated hydrobinding component having a water activity substantially less than about 0.75, in combination with a humectant, and a (iii) fat component having a melting point substantially in the range of about 28 to about 45 degrees centigrade for providing a soft yet substantially unsticky chew texture for the composition.