Volatile components formed from the reaction of monosaccharides or disaccharides with beta-alanine were investigated in a dry condition as a model system of cookie processing. Maltol is a common compound formed in the Maillard reaction, but it was very difficult to detect it in previous experiments using actual cookie materials. In this work, we investigated the principal compounds and maltol formation from the reaction of monosaccharides or disaccharides with beta-alanine at 150 degrees C for 10 min. Neither the reaction of monosaccharides nor the disaccharides with beta-alanine resulted in the formation of maltol. 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4(H)-pyran-4-one (DDMP) was detected as a principal product from the reaction of monosaccharides with beta-alanine. 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural was also confirmed as being a major product in both reactions.