When speaking, leaves puddings (8)
I believe the answer is:
desserts
'puddings' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'when speaking leaves' is the wordplay.
'when speaking' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'leaves' becomes 'deserts' (to desert someone is to leave them).
'deserts' sounds like 'DESSERTS'.
(Other definitions for desserts that I've seen before include "That may be cobblers" , "Sweet courses of meal" , "Last courses" , "Puddings" , "fools, perhaps?" .)