Present topping without cherry in centre (8)
I believe the answer is:
offering
'cherry in centre' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'present topping without' is the wordplay.
'present' becomes 'offer' (I've seen this before).
'topping' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'without' becomes 'ing' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'offer'+'ing'='OFFERING'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for offering that I've seen before include "Putting forward for acceptance or rejection" , "making a bid" , "Tendering - sacrifice" , "Presenting for acceptance or rejection" , "Religious sacrifice" .)