What food category is pastry?

Pastry is a category of food in itself! It's not nested within another broader category like "baked goods" or "desserts" although it can often fall into those categories.

Here's why:

* Pastry refers to a specific type of dough made with flour, fat (butter, shortening, etc.), and sometimes eggs and water. This dough is often used to make a variety of baked goods, both sweet and savory.

* Baked goods is a broader category that encompasses things like cakes, bread, cookies, and pastries.

* Desserts are typically sweet treats served at the end of a meal, and many pastries fall into this category, but not all (e.g., savory puff pastry).

So, while pastry can be considered a type of baked good or dessert, it's also a distinct category in its own right.