These Homemade Vanilla Wafers are an old fashioned favorite! They are a delicious snack cookie and so quick and easy to make too.
These vanilla wafers are perfect for a snack, light dessert, or to pack in lunchboxes. They are such a delicious homemade treat and so quick and easy to make. You can have a tray out of the oven in about 15 minutes.
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❤️ About this recipe
I adapted this recipe from a 1937 cookbook called, Searchlight Recipes. Their original vanilla wafer recipe called for shortening and it used a lot less vanilla. I think my tweaks will give you a better cookie!
Homemade vanilla wafers will be softer than their store bought counterparts, especially this old fashioned recipe. If you’d like to use them for banana pudding or another dessert recipe, I recommend baking them one minute longer and letting them sit out for several hours so they are drier.
🥣 Ingredients needed
For this recipe, you will need:
- Sugar
- Butter: I always recommend using unsalted butter when making cookies. Salted butter has more water content than unsalted butter and by using unsalted butter we can control the amount of salt going into the recipe. You will want to make sure you soften your butter to room temperature before using.
- Vanilla extract: I recommend using pure vanilla extract for the best results.
- All purpose flour
- Egg
- Cream of tartar
- Baking soda
- Salt
The complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card further below in the post.
🔪 Equipment needed
You will need a hand or stand mixer, large mixing bowl, baking sheet, and parchment paper (not wax paper).
⏲️ Recipe instructions (step by step guide)
Begin by preheating your oven to 400° F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract (image 1). Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined but do not over mix (image 2).
Use about two teaspoons of dough to form dough balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (image 3). Leave enough room for the cookies to spread some. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Watch your baking time closely as some ovens can run hot.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking tray for 10 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
🥡 How to store leftovers
Store any leftover vanilla wafers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will be good for up to four days after making.
📋 Recipe FAQs
Nilla Wafers are a brand of vanilla wafers which are a small vanilla cookie.
If you need a substitute for vanilla wafers, I’d recommend graham crackers or lemon wafers.
Other recipes you may like:
If you tried these Homemade Vanilla Wafers or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you and I’m always happy to try to answer any questions you may have!
Homemade Vanilla Wafers
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper not wax paper
- Hand or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature (4 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400° F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.¼ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup sugar, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined but do not over mix1 large egg, ½ teaspoon cream of tartar, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup all purpose flour
- Use about two teaspoons of dough to form dough balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Leave enough room for the cookies to spread some.
- Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Criss says
These vanilla wafers look so simple and tasty—way better than the boxed kind!
Andrea says
We all loved these vanilla wafers—they were soft, sweet, and disappeared way too fast!
Leslie says
Homemade over store-bought, every single time! These are such a great recipe and the vanilla flavor is perfection!
Swathi says
Homemade vanilla wafers is delicious I have made it twice, thanks for sharing this.
Nicole Kendrick says
I am so in love with these! I guess I won’t be using them in banana pudding, because I absolutely adore that soft texture.