Manipulate confectionery (5)
I believe the answer is:
fudge
This clue is a double definition.
'manipulate' is the first definition.
('fudge' can be a synonym of 'manipulate')
'confectionery' is the second definition.
(fudge is a kind of confectionery)
(Other definitions for fudge that I've seen before include "Something sweet" , "Sweet; nonsense (arch.)" , "Cook the books" , "Adjust (figures) to meet desired result; sweet" , "Sweet -- hedge -- evade" .)