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.
I looked for a recipe on google and tried the first 3, very disappointed. The cookies didn’t taste good and they spread and looked nothing like a wafer. Then I tried yours and finally, a perfect homemade wafer! Your recipe really is the best and I thank you. I wish everyone would try yours first.
Sounds delicious I am going to make them in the morning.
Bev Australia
What do you use as a 1/2 tsp scoop? The dough stays inside my measuring spoon! Thanks
She means rotate the pan, not the individual cookies. It’s common to do this to get even baking.
The recipe is amazing!!! Thanks
I really liked this recipe,reminds me of my childhood over there.Thanks for sharing it
I was thinking of making these as Xmas cookies and adding red or green food color to the dough! Do you think I would need to adjust the liquids when adding the food coloring?
These turned out perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
Mine did not spread out. They stayed in a ball. What did I do wrong?
Hi, Janet! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Make sure the flour is accurately measured. In addition, the butter could have been too cold; make sure it’s at room temperature. One other factor could be oven temperature. Check with an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is at the set temperature. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
Hello, i want to try this one foe me and for kids.. but i just have 1 question, what do you bu rotating half way? Sorry, a newbie here.. thank you.
Hi, Pham! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to make sure all of the cookies are evenly baked. I hope this helps, and have a spectacular day!