White powder for pastries pal scattered about (7,2,5)

I believe the answer is:

plaster of paris

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'white powder for pastries pal scattered about' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'white powder for pastries pal scattered about' is the wordplay.
'for pastries pal' anagrams to 'PLASTER OF PARIS'.
Though, I'm not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plaster of paris that I've seen before include "is needed for the cast?" , "material for cast" , "What might make cast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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