Maran the Mishnah Berurah (Siman 176) rules that any cake whose halachic status is a “doubtful bread” (safek pas) is covered by Birkat HaMazon. However, lechatchilah one must intentionally focus (l’chaven) during Birkat HaMazon to include the cake in the after-blessing, though ex post facto (b’dieved), it is effective even without explicit intent (Sha’ar HaTziyun).

An item that is not considered a doubtful bread includes: kugel, porridge, noodles, or wafers; therefore, they are not covered by the Birkat HaMazon recited after eating bread. One who eats these prior to a meal must recite the after-blessing of “Al HaMichyah”, wait a short while, and then wash his hands for the meal. However, a standard cake is considered a doubtful bread, so one may wash hands after eating it and have it covered by Birkat HaMazon. Nevertheless, the Oler L’Tzion and the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ztz”l disagree with the Mishnah Berurah, holding that, on the contrary, one must recite Al HaMichyah over any cake before the meal, following the view of Maran the Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Naso). Their reasoning is that if the cake is a doubtful bread, it is all the more reason to recite its after-blessing (Al HaMichyah) first, and only then proceed to the bread meal. Nonetheless, regarding this law, a Sephardic Jew may also rule in accordance with the Mishnah Berurah, as there is no dispute on this matter between our masters, the Shulchan Aruch (Rabbi Yosef Karo) and the Rema (Rabbi Moshe Isserles).

An important note should be made regarding a person who is at a Shabbat Kiddush in synagogue and intends to eat cakes, and to wash his hands immediately afterward for a meal. In such a scenario, if kugel is served at the Kiddush, he must recite the after-blessing upon finishing it. He should do the same after eating vegetables, salads, and fish; indeed, for any food item that would not require a before-blessing if eaten during a bread meal, one must recite its after-blessing when consumed at the Kiddush. This also applies today when snacks like Bissli, Bamba, and potato chips are served at a Kiddush—one must recite the appropriate after-blessing over them, and only then wash one’s hands for the meal.