Chapter 43: 4-7
A Blessing Within a Meal4. Fruit which is served as the mainstay of a meal, with the intention that it be eaten together with bread, is covered by the blessing hamotzi, since it is an essential part of the meal. This applies even when the fruit was not on the table at the time hamotzi was recited. However, one should begin to partake of the fruit by eating it together with the bread. Afterwards, whatever one eats without bread does not require a blessing.
5. Fruit which is cooked for the sake of the meal, as is done frequently as a side dish [compote], whether with meat or without meat, does not require a separate blessing if eaten in the following manner: when one begins partaking of it and when one concludes doing so, it should be eaten with bread.*
* {The Shulchon Oruch HoRav 177:2 and the Mishnoh B'rurah 177:4 require a separate blessing for cooked fruit, provided it is eaten without bread.
6. Pastries - e.g., torts, sugar cake, almond cake, and the like - do not require a separate blessing if they are eaten in order to satisfy one's hunger. However, if they are eaten only for pleasure, there is a question whether they require a blessing. Hence, it is proper for a person to have the specific intention to include all these types of food when reciting the blessing hamotzi.
7. A person who desires to drink coffee at the conclusion of the meal before reciting grace, in order to help him digest his food, is required to recite a blessing before partaking of it. Any food served to help digest one's food is not considered to be a necessary part of the meal [and, hence, is not covered by the blessing hamotzi.] Nevertheless, it is proper to recite the blessing shehakol on sugar, with the intention of including the coffee also.*
* {The Misgeres HaShulchon 9 states that it is not customary to recite a separate blessing before partaking of tea or coffee, if they are drunk before grace after meals. That text suggests drinking these beverages after grace in order to avoid the difficulty.}
