Category: Desserts
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Espresso Panna Cotta
Espresso panna cotta is at its best when it leans into bitterness rather than fighting it. Coffee brings depth and structure to an otherwise very soft dessert, giving the cream something to push against. When the espresso is strong and fully cooled before being added, it integrates cleanly without thinning the custard or messing with…
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Coconut Tapioca Pudding
Coconut tapioca pudding is one of those desserts that quietly does a lot of work. When small tapioca pearls are fully cooked, they soften and suspend in the pudding rather than floating to the top or clumping at the bottom. The starch released during cooking thickens the coconut milk naturally, creating a cohesive texture that…
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Apple Clafoutis
Soft & Bite-Sized (IDDSI Level 6) Tender foods cut into small, bite-sized pieces that are easy to chew and break apart with minimal effort. Clafoutis is traditionally a rustic French custard baked with whole fruit suspended in a thin batter. Classic versions use cherries, often unpitted, and that detail is not incidental. The pits release…
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Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pureed (IDDSI Level 4) Completely smooth foods/extremely thick liquids with no lumps that hold their shape on a spoon and don’t require chewing. Making cheesecake has always been a balancing act; indulgent yet simple, rich but delicate. Add pumpkin and chocolate, and it becomes autumn distilled. For those navigating chewing or swallowing challenges, the silky…
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Spiced Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Pureed (IDDSI Level 4) Completely smooth foods/extremely thick liquids with no lumps that hold their shape on a spoon and don’t require chewing. Creating meals that are accessible and flavorful is at the heart of my mission as both a speech-language pathologist and a cook. Each dish needs to be enjoyable for all, regardless of…
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Ambrosia Salad
Minced & Moist (IDDSI Level 5) Soft foods that are finely chopped and held together with moisture so they don’t crumble or fall apart. Tropical fruit and citrusy sweetness mingle with a protein fortified whipped topping to bring chewing ease to this nostalgic minced and moist ambrosia. Ambrosia salad first gained popularity in the late…
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Honey Walnut Cream Dip
Pureed (IDDSI Level 4) Completely smooth foods/extremely thick liquids with no lumps that hold their shape on a spoon and don’t require chewing. As a speech-language pathologist and cook, I’m constantly inspired by the memories that food evokes. The flavors of baklava, with its roots in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, are filled with nostalgia…
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Pecan Roll Blondies
Easy to Chew (IDDSI Level EC7) Regular foods that are naturally soft and easy to chew, without tough, dry, or hard components. Growing up one of my favorite meals was “breakfast for dinner” as most of my childhood morning meals were on the go for school and sport activities. It would almost feel like we…
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Apple Cake
Easy to Chew (IDDSI Level EC7) Regular foods that are naturally soft and easy to chew, without tough, dry, or hard components. You know Fall has arrived when the trees start to display dazzling reds and yellows, but its not just the leaves responsible for the autumn colors. This easy to chew (IDDSI level EC7)…
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Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Soft & Bite-Sized (IDDSI Level 6) Tender foods cut into small, bite-sized pieces that are easy to chew and break apart with minimal effort. This dark chocolate hazelnut torte is a rich, decadent dessert that pairs the deep, bittersweet flavor of dark chocolate with the nutty undertones of hazelnuts. This flourless torte has a dense,…