Have avoided astringent dessert (6)

I believe the answer is:

afters

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'dessert' is the definition.
(afters can mean a dessert course)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for afters that I've seen before include "Strafe with desserts" , "Dessert, sweet" , "Dessert (colloq.)" , "Possibly fools" , "food for pudding" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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