Crossword Genius

Improve dessert with directions (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sweeten

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'improve' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'dessert with directions' is the wordplay.
'dessert' becomes 'sweet' (synonyms).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'directions' becomes 'en' (east and north).
'sweet'+'en'='SWEETEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sweeten that I've seen before include "Seen wet (anag.)" , "put in sugar" , "placate" , "We teens! (anag)" , "Add sugar or honey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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