Name: Vanilla Wafers Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
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

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 7 reviews

I absolutely love sharing this Vanilla Wafers Recipe with friends because it brings together simple ingredients to create a batch of delectably crisp, buttery cookies that feel like a hug in every bite. I appreciate how these vanilla wafers deliver a delicate sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfect for snacking, dunking in milk, or using in classic desserts like banana pudding. From start to finish, this recipe is approachable yet incredibly rewarding—every time I make these, the house smells amazing, and my family can’t wait to dive in.

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Wafers Recipe

One reason I adore this Vanilla Wafers Recipe is how perfectly it balances flavor and texture. The buttery richness combined with that hint of real vanilla makes these cookies irresistibly delightful without ever being too sweet. When you take a bite, you immediately notice the crisp exterior giving way to a lightly tender center, which keeps you coming back for more. It’s just the right kind of cookie—simple but sophisticated in its flavor.

Another thing that makes this recipe stand out for me is how easy and straightforward it is to prepare. You don’t need any fancy tools or unusual ingredients—just everyday staples coming together to create something truly special. It’s perfect for all sorts of occasions, whether you’re baking for a casual get-together, a holiday party, or just a cozy night in. I always feel confident making this recipe because it reliably produces crowd-pleasing results.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows five rows of round, light golden brown cookies evenly spaced on a sheet of white parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. The cookies have a smooth tops with slight cracks and a soft texture, each about the same size, creating a neat grid pattern. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Before you start, gather these simple yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering flavor, texture, or that perfect golden color in the final wafers.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for the cookies, providing structure and a tender crumb.
Baking powder: Adds a light lift, giving the wafers just the right balance of crispness without being dense.
Kosher salt: Enhances the sweetness and flavors, making every bite pop.
Unsalted butter: At room temperature for easy creaming, it’s the star that brings rich flavor and softness.
Confectioners’ sugar: Contributes to the delicate texture and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that slight crisp edge on the wafers.
Large egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture, helping the cookies hold together.
Vanilla extract: The key flavor note that gives these wafers their classic, irresistible aroma.
Whole milk: Just a splash to smooth the batter and enhance tenderness.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. This is crucial so the cookies bake evenly and turn golden without burning.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Sifting helps avoid clumps and ensures an even mixture, which makes a big difference in texture.

Step 3: Using a stand mixer, cream your unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for at least 2 minutes. The goal here is a light and fluffy mix, so don’t rush—scrape down the bowl sides occasionally to get everything fully incorporated.

Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and whole milk to your creamed butter mixture. Beat on medium until smooth and fluffy, about 30 seconds. This step adds moisture and flavor depth, so it’s worth doing carefully.

Step 5: Slowly add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until fully combined. Overmixing here can toughen the cookies, so be gentle and patient.

Step 6: Chill the batter in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, which is key to controlling the spread of your wafers during baking.

Step 7: Scoop half teaspoon-sized dollops of batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart so they have room to bake evenly without sticking together.

Step 8: Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning. Look for a beautiful golden-brown color around the edges to know they’re done perfectly.

Step 9: Let your wafers cool completely on the baking sheet before removing or serving. This resting time allows them to crisp up and develop their signature texture.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields about 70 delicious vanilla wafers, perfect for sharing with family or at a party. Prep time is roughly 15 minutes, plus 10-15 minutes to chill the batter. Baking time is about 12-15 minutes per batch, so overall, you should expect about 45 minutes from start to finish. Cooling time is essential, so plan to let your cookies rest for at least 10 minutes after baking before you dive in.

How to Serve This Vanilla Wafers Recipe

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a small, round biscuit with a slightly rough, soft texture. The biscuit is light golden brown at the bottom, with a pale yellow and crumbly interior visible from the side. Behind it, a white bowl holds several similar biscuits all with the same light tan color and smooth, slightly cracked tops. The background is a white marbled surface, softly blurred to focus on the biscuit and woman's hand in the foreground. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Whenever I serve these vanilla wafers, I love pairing them with classic Southern-style banana pudding, letting the cookies soak up that creamy vanilla custard for a nostalgic treat. They also hold up wonderfully when served alongside fresh berries and whipped cream, making for a light dessert that still feels special. I recommend serving them at room temperature so you can fully appreciate their crisp edge and tender centers.

Presentation-wise, arranging these wafers on a pretty platter with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted chocolate instantly elevates their look for parties or holiday gatherings. For beverage pairings, I like to keep it simple—these cookies are fantastic with a cold glass of milk or a cup of aromatic tea like Earl Grey or chamomile. If you’re feeling fancy, a mild, sweet white wine, such as a Moscato, also complements their vanilla sweetness beautifully.

They’re brilliant for any occasion, whether you want to delight your kids after school, impress guests at a casual brunch, or add a homemade touch to festive celebrations. Because the recipe makes so many, I often set out a cookie jar on the counter to encourage spontaneous snacking all week long.

Variations

I love customizing this Vanilla Wafers Recipe depending on the occasion or dietary needs. If you want to try a gluten-free version, swapping the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free blend works really well, just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to maintain structure. For a vegan twist, I recommend using a vegan butter substitute and an egg replacer like flaxseed meal mixed with water to achieve that same creamy, buttery mouthfeel.

Flavor variations are a fun way to make these waffles uniquely yours. Sometimes, I add a teaspoon of almond extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the batter for a subtle but lovely change. You could also experiment with adding finely chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.

If you want to shake up the cooking method, these cookies also do surprisingly well in an air fryer set to a lower temperature with a shorter baking time, turning out crisp and buttery with less waiting. Or, for a holiday twist, rolling the dough balls lightly in colored sugar before baking creates festive wafers that brighten any cookie plate.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

After these wafers have cooled completely, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp. Using a container with a tight seal is key to preventing moisture from softening the cookies. Stored this way, they stay fresh for up to one week, making them perfect for making ahead of events or keeping on hand for everyday snacking.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these vanilla wafers, I recommend placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first to freeze individually for about an hour. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container or zip-top bag. This method prevents sticking, and the wafers will keep well for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature—you’ll find the texture remains just as delightful as freshly baked.

Reheating

When I reheat leftover wafers, I gently warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their crispness without drying them out. I avoid microwaving because it tends to make them soft and chewy, which loses that classic vanilla wafer snap. If you want a little extra flair, placing a small piece of chocolate or a marshmallow on top just before warming can turn your cookies into a nostalgic treat.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted in this Vanilla Wafers Recipe?

You can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but I recommend reducing or omitting the additional salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor, which is why I prefer it for these delicate cookies.

How do I know when the vanilla wafers are done baking?

Look for the cookies to have a light golden-brown color around the edges while the centers remain slightly pale. They’ll firm up more when cooling, so be careful not to overbake, or they might become too hard.

Can I make the dough ahead of time and bake later?

Absolutely! After preparing the dough, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to allow the dough to warm slightly at room temperature before scooping to ensure even baking.

Are these vanilla wafers suitable for decorating or using with frosting?

While these wafers have a lovely crisp texture, they are quite delicate and may crumble under heavy frosting or intricate decorating. However, they work wonderfully as a base or layering component in desserts like trifles or banana pudding, where the frosting or custard complements rather than overwhelms them.

What’s the best way to prevent vanilla wafers from sticking to the baking sheet?

I always line my baking sheets with parchment paper before scooping the dough. This creates a non-stick surface that helps the wafers bake evenly and makes cleanup a breeze.

Conclusion

I hope you’re as excited as I am to try this Vanilla Wafers Recipe because it truly is one of those timeless treats that brings so much joy to the table. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends, these cookies are straightforward to make and wonderfully satisfying. I can’t wait for you to taste the buttery, vanilla goodness and maybe even put your own spin on the recipe. Happy baking!