Walk past the cookie aisle and make your own Vanilla Wafers from scratch. They look the same as the ones you would get from the box, but are made with fresh ingredients and a better taste if you ask me! They are most commonly used in banana pudding recipes like my Ultimate Banana Pudding recipe,
Vanilla Wafers
Vanilla wafers, or sugar wafers, have been around for over 100 years. They are fun to use as a crust or just a snack! With all the ways you can use vanilla wafers (or Nilla wafers as they are now called), it’s nice to have a recipe for this popular cookie.
Wafers Recipe
With all the processed foods and snacks out there, it’s refreshing to have options to make our favorite treats from scratch. Plus, you know there will be no artificial ingredients in homemade batches of these Vanilla Wafers.
How to Make Vanilla Wafers
With just a mixer and a parchment-lined baking sheet, you can whip up some of these fun cookies in no time! Of course, you will also need the oven preheated to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this bowl aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed for at least two minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. (You can also use a hand-held mixer for this recipe if you don’t have a stand mixer.)
- Next, add the egg, vanilla, and milk to the stand mixer bowl and blend these ingredients for about 30 seconds.
- Then, add the flour mixture and mix on low until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Chill the batter for 10-15 minutes. (You can take this time to chill, too!)
- Use a 1/2 teaspoon to scoop out dollops of the batter and place them on the baking sheet. Leave each dollop about one inch apart.
- Bake the wafers for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool before serving.
How to Store Vanilla Wafers
If you want to keep Vanilla Wafers at room temperature, be sure to keep them in an air-tight container. They will last for up to five days. Freezing them is another option. Store them in a zipped plastic bag, making sure to write the date on the bag. The wafers will keep up to a month in the freezer.
Banana Desserts
Vanilla Wafers
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter, confectioners' sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for at least 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and milk and blend until smooth and fluffy (about 30 seconds).
- Add the flour mixture and mix on low until fully incorporated.
- Chill the batter for 10-15 minutes.
- Scoop 1/2 teaspoon-sized dollops of the batter (about 1 inch apart) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Cookies will be golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
These vanilla wafers were delicious in my homemade banana pudding. Thank you!
On this recipe you use 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. However in the ultimate banana pudding post, the cookie recipe says use 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Which is it?
Great catch, Ms Washington! It is 1/2 cup, like the original vanilla wafer recipe. I updated the amount in the Ultimate Banana Post.
About how many cookies will this recipe yield in 1/2 tsp. dollops?
Hi, Baker Boy! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. You will get about 70 cookies with this recipe. Enjoy, and have a great day!
In one of your comments to a response you said made be not fresh baking soda, the recipe ask for baking powder did I put the wrong ingredient in?
Nope, I might have misspoken in the comment section. The written recipe is correct.
The recipe was incredibly easy. You explained everything that was necessary to kno and omitted a bunch of facts and descriptions that I didn’t have to waste time with in order to make excellent wafers. Thank you so much.
Please add nutritional info on your recipes. I have a type1 diabetic grandchild and carbs etc would be helpful. Need more low carb items using sugar substitutes of choice.
Not many varieties for diabetics in any postings .
HI Diane! Thanks for the feedback. My recipes are not made for diabetics and as I am not a registered physician or dietician I wouldn’t feel comfortable guiding folks on that. You can always pop the recipe into a nutrition info app if you need more detailed information than what I provide. Thanks!
This recipe is amazing!! Very easy to follow and the cookies were delicious! I used the cookies for banana pudding and I liked it better than the bills wafers that I usually use.
They are very good but quite small and did not spread much following the recipe exclusively. Second batch I flatten a little and subsequent batches I made larger. Has a great flavor and not too sweet; I am sure my family and friends will enjoy them too!!
Hi also wondering if I can add coco powder. My husband loves chocolate cookies, no chips and having a hard time finding a good recipe. Thanks
PS will try the vanilla no matter what.
Hi Angie- I haven’t tested them with cocoa powder so I can’t advise on amounts. If you try it let me know what you think!
I just made these cookies they are very good and easy to make. I made a small banana pudding. Thank you for sharing the recipe!