noun
kneaded sweet; kneaded confection
A traditional Japanese confection made by kneading powdered or granular ingredients (such as rice flour, sesame seeds, or sugar) with a liquid or sweet bean paste into a dough-like consistency. Often shaped and sometimes colored.
茶道では、練り菓子がよく供される。
In tea ceremony, kneaded sweets are often served.
この練り菓子は、米粉と砂糖を練って作られている。
This kneaded confection is made by kneading rice flour and sugar together.
和菓子 is the broad category of traditional Japanese sweets, while 練り菓子 specifically refers to those made by kneading ingredients into a dough.
生菓子 are fresh, moist Japanese sweets often containing a high percentage of water; 練り菓子 can be a type of 生菓子 when freshly made, but the term emphasizes the kneading process.
Compound of 練り (kneading, from verb 練る) + 菓子 (confection, sweet). The spelling 煉り菓子 uses the older form of the kanji for 'knead'.