Returned a dessert, an inedible sponge (5)
I believe the answer is:
loofa
'inedible sponge' is the definition.
'loofa' can be an answer for 'sponge' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'inedible' bit.
'returned a dessert' is the wordplay.
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'dessert' becomes 'fool' (type of dessert).
'a'+'fool'='afool'
'afool' in reverse letter order is 'LOOFA'.
'an' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for loofa that I've seen before include "One in bath" , "Bathroom sponge" , "Bath sponge" , "Gourd used as a sponge" , "Firm sponge" .)