A composition and method for a high solids yogurt with reduced water activity. The high solids yogurt can be formed, for example, by culturing a high solids milk. Lactose present in the high solids milk can be hydrolyzed to glucose and galactose. Water activity of the yogurt can be further reduced by applying a vacuum-dehydration process to the high solids yogurt. The water activity of the yogurt can also be reduced by adding solutes to the yogurt. The composition can be used in food products, either in isolation or in combination with other components, for example, grain-based components.