Homemade Vanilla Wafers
These homemade vanilla wafers are little buttery cookies with plenty of vanilla flavor. Chill the batter briefly, scoop small portions, and bake until golden for a simple treat to enjoy with tea or milk.
If you enjoy small cookies, try my Garibaldi biscuits or pecan snowball cookies.
The small scoops are important: these are meant to bake as bite-sized wafers. Use similar portions and cool the cookies completely before storing so they keep their texture.
Quick Look: Homemade Vanilla Wafers
- 🔪 Prep time: 5 minutes.
- ❄️ Chill time: 10–15 minutes.
- 🔥 Bake time: 12–15 minutes at 350°F.
- 🍽️ Servings: 6.
- 🥣 Main ingredients: Flour, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, milk, and baking powder.
- ➡️ Method: Cream → mix → chill → scoop → bake → cool.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥛 Best served with: Milk, tea, or coffee.
Jump to recipe
Why This Recipe
- Familiar pantry ingredients: A simple butter-and-vanilla cookie batter.
- Small portions: Half-teaspoon scoops make little cookies for snacking.
- Useful beyond the cookie jar: Serve plain or crumble over a creamy dessert.
Recipe Ingredients
All-purpose flour: 1 ½ cups, the foundation of this cookie recipe.
Baking powder: ¾ teaspoon, for that perfect rise.
Salt: ½ teaspoon, to enhance the flavors.
Unsalted butter: ½ cup, room temperature, for rich creaminess.
Sugar: ¾ cup, sweetens the cookies to perfection.
Egg: 1 large, room temperature, binds everything together.
Vanilla extract: 1 tablespoon, for that warm, comforting flavor.
Milk: 1 tablespoon, adds moisture to the dough.
Check recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Add a citrus note: A little finely grated lemon zest gives a different flavor.
- Change the serving: Use cooled wafers as a crunchy topping for yogurt or pudding.
- Keep the vanilla central: Use an extract you enjoy; vanilla is the main flavor here.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Wafers
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cream the room-temperature butter and sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the room-temperature egg, vanilla, and milk. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth.
Step 3: Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low until incorporated, then chill for 10–15 minutes.
Step 4: Scoop ½-teaspoon portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden, then cool completely.
Shahida's Tips & Tricks
- Use softened butter rather than melted butter for the creaming step.
- Chill the batter as directed before scooping.
- Keep the portions similar in size so the cookies finish together.
- Watch closely near the end of baking; small cookies can brown quickly.
- Cool completely before sealing in a container.
How to Serve Homemade Vanilla Wafers
Serve with milk, tea, or coffee, or crumble a few over ice cream. They also pair with dulce de leche or a bowl of cheesecake fruit salad.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why did my wafers spread so much?
Very soft butter or unchilled batter can encourage spreading. Use softened butter and give the batter its 10–15 minute chill.
Why did some cookies brown before others?
Uneven scoop sizes or hot spots in the oven can cause uneven browning. Portion consistently and check the tray near the end of baking.
How do I store vanilla wafers?
Let them cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid sealing warm cookies, which can trap steam.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
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Homemade vanilla wafers
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In the bowl cream together butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes, Add the egg, vanilla, and milk and blend for 30 seconds until smooth and fluffy Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low until fully incorporated.
- Chill the cookie batter for 10-15 minutes.
- Scoop ½ teaspoon-sized batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. (about 1 inch apart)
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
