noun
ornamental gift cakes; decorative sweets given as a gift
Refers to beautifully decorated cakes or confections presented as gifts, often at celebratory occasions such as weddings or formal visits. The term is somewhat traditional and may not be used for everyday sweets.
結婚式の引き出物に、引き菓子が添えられていた。
Ornamental gift cakes were included among the wedding favors.
お歳暮に引き菓子を贈る習慣がある。
There is a custom of giving decorative sweets as year-end gifts.
Compound of 引き (hiki, 'pulling' or 'drawing', here likely referring to the act of presenting or drawing out a gift) and 菓子 (kashi, 'confectionery'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with decorative sweets given as gifts.