Crossword Genius

Crusty roll’s first dipped in fudge (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gruff

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'crusty' is the definition.
(I know that crusty can be written as gruff)

'roll's first dipped in fudge' is the wordplay.
'roll's first' becomes 'r' (gst letter of 'roll').
'dipped in' indicates putting letters inside.
'fudge' becomes 'guff' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'r' placed inside 'guff' is 'GRUFF'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gruff that I've seen before include "(Of voice) rough, low" , "Hoarse" , "Churlish" , "Rasping - ungracious" , "Abrupt in manner - rough and low in pitch" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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