Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a generic term for pretty young women [i.e. ‘good enough to eat’].

1903		A. Binstead Pitcher in Paradise 199: I shall [...] introduce him to some of the hottest pastry on the music-hall stage.
1909		David, Lee & Lyle [perf. Vesta Tilley] Give It to Father 🎵 I've a nice bit of ‘pastry’ here / So give that one to Pa.
1996		E. Bunker Dog Eat Dog 101: Then he got himself a hussy on the side, a little piece of young pastry he keeps in a condo in Century City.

2. (Aus.) flattery, praise [it is ‘sweet’].

1900–10

Stephens & O’Brien Materials for a Dict. of Aus. Sl. [unpub. ms.].