Copycat Nilla Wafer Cookies are a light & crispy vanilla cookie perfect for snacking, dipping, or using in your favorite dessert recipes! Make your own vanilla wafer cookies at home that taste amazing!
This vanilla wafer recipe is simple and can be made with ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. By making them at home, you can control the quality of the ingredients and adjust the recipe to suit your personal taste preferences. Plus, homemade cookies always taste better than store-bought ones!
Homemade Vanilla Wafer Cookies
These thin, crispy cookies are often enjoyed on their own or used in a variety of desserts, such as banana pudding or icebox cake. They are a convenient and tasty treat that can be enjoyed on their own or used in a variety of desserts. Whether you prefer the classic Nabisco Vanilla Wafers or a newer brand, there is no denying the popularity of these delicious cookies.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, making Copycat Vanilla Wafer Cookies is a great way to get creative in the kitchen. With a little bit of time and effort, you can enjoy these delicious cookies anytime you want. So why not give it a try and see how easy and fun it can be to make your own homemade vanilla wafers?
Why You’ll Love These Easy Copycat Nilla Wafer Cookies
- Easy to Make: The recipe for these cookies is easy to follow and doesn’t require any special equipment. Even if you’re not an experienced baker, you can make these cookies with ease.
- Versatile: These cookies are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a sweet snack to enjoy with your afternoon tea or a dessert to serve at a dinner party, these cookies will fit the bill.
- Delicious: The most important reason why you will love these cookies is that they are absolutely delicious. The crispy, buttery texture of the wafer cookies combined with the sweet vanilla flavor is a match made in heaven.
Copycat Vanilla Wafter Cookie Ingredients
Flour: For the structural base of this cookie dough, use 1 ½ cups of all purpose flour.
Cornstarch: You will need 1 TBSP of cornstarch to give these cookies a wonderful soft texture.
Baking powder: Help these cookies puff up as they bake by adding ¾ teaspoons of baking powder.
Salt: Balance the amazing flavors in this recipe by using ½ teaspoon of salt.
Butter: Give these cookies a nice rich taste by adding ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened.
Sugar: You need ⅔ cup of granulated sugar for perfectly sweet and chewy treats.
Egg: Bind the ingredients together by adding 1 large egg, room temperature (preferred).
Vanilla extract: Enhance all the incredible flavors in this cookie dough by using 1 TBSP + 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Milk: Add in 1 TBSP of milk for some moisture in this simple and delicious cookie recipe.
How to make Homemade Nilla Wafer Cookies
Prep
Get started by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
Dough
Next, in a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt; set this mixture aside.
Then, in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar using an electric mixer, on medium speed, until creamy, this takes about 5 minutes.
Turn the mixer to low and beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until the ingredients are completely combined.
After that, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until well combined. The dough should be nice and smooth.
Shape & chill
Continue to roll the dough into 1″ balls, divide the dough in half and roll each half into a ball. Place them on the prepared cookie sheets. Cover and let the dough chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Bake
Get the oven preheating to 350°F. Then remove the cookie dough from the fridge and space the cookies out 2″ apart on the baking sheets.
Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 11-12 minutes or until the cookies are light golden brown around the edges.
Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to cooling racks to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations for Nilla Wafer Cookies
Gluten-Free Alternatives: For those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, there are a few simple substitutions that can be made to make these copycat vanilla wafer cookies gluten-free. Instead of using all-purpose flour, you can use a gluten-free flour blend. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is a great option that can be used in place of regular flour in equal amounts. Additionally, make sure to use gluten-free vanilla extract and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Vegan Substitutions: To follow a vegan diet, there are a few substitutions that can be made to make these cookies vegan-friendly. Instead of using butter, you can use a vegan butter substitute such as Earth Balance. Additionally, instead of using eggs, you can use a flax egg or a chia egg. To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. To make a chia egg, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Make sure to use vegan-friendly vanilla extract as well.
Flavor Add-Ins: While the classic vanilla flavor is delicious, there are a few flavor add-ins that can be used to switch things up. For a citrusy twist, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough. Make a chocolatey twist, add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. For a nutty twist, add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough. These variations can be mixed and matched to create a unique and delicious cookie.
How long are these Nilla Wafter cookies good for?
Copycat Vanilla Wafter Cookies can last up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. However, the cookies tend to lose their crispness over time and become softer. To maintain the texture, it is recommended to consume them within the first few days after baking.
Replicate the texture of Nilla Wafers in homemade cookies
To replicate the texture of Nilla Wafers in homemade cookies, it is important to use the right ingredients and techniques. The recipe should include a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder to achieve a light and crispy texture. Additionally, it is important to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which will help create the characteristic texture of the cookies.
Healthy alternative to the traditional vanilla wafer cookies
For those looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional vanilla wafer cookie recipe, there are a few options. One is to replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour, which are lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and healthy fats. Another option is to use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of white sugar. However, it is important to note that these alternatives may alter the taste and texture of the cookies.
What are some ways to use vanilla wafer cookies in desserts?
Vanilla wafer cookies are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of desserts. They can be crushed and used as a crust for pies or cheesecakes, or layered in parfaits and trifles. They can also be dipped in chocolate or caramel and used as a topping for ice cream or cupcakes. Another fun idea is to use them as a base for mini desserts, such as mini cheesecakes or fruit tarts. The possibilities are endless!
Try more homemade cookies, check out these copycat recipes:
- Copycat Samoa Cookies
- Mrs. Fields Copycat White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Copycat Chick Fil A Cookies
- Thin Mint Copycat Cookies
- Twix Cookie Bars
- Homemade Nutter Butters
- Honeybun Cookies
- Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Cosmic Brownie Cookies
- Frosted Strawberry Cookies
- Best Soft Sugar Cookie
- Birthday Cake Cookie
Copycat Nilla Wafer Cookies are delightful and easy to make treats that taste so much better when homemade! Make vanilla wafers at home using simple ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry.
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