Name: Vegan Vanilla Wafer Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 18 servings (two 1" cookies per serving)
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegan butter (softened); 1 cup white sugar (vegan); 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt

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These soft-yet-crispy vegan vanilla wafers are even beetter than the storebought version. They’re easy to make and require just 6 ingredients!

Normally I’m more of a soft and chewy cookie kinda gal, but crispy vanilla wafers have a fond place in my heart.

I grew up munching on vanilla wafers more than any other packaged cookie. (Because, yes, dietitians love their sweets, too!) There’s just something about that sweet, soft-but-crunchy and oh-so vanilla-y cookie.

Due to my neverending need to veganize all of my favorite comfort food desserts (I’m talking about you, vegan zucchini bread!), those classic vanilla wafers from childhood (and adulthood?) are now officially veganized.

The best part about these sugar cookies? They’re super easy to make! I’m talking six easily accessible ingredients and just a few easy steps.

These vanilla wafers are

crispy yet soft

sweet tooth friendly

easy to make using just 6 ingredients

packed with vanilla flavor!

(and perfect for classic Southern vegan banana pudding)

Key ingredients used in vegan vanilla wafers

Vegan butter. I use the Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, but sticks will also work. I prefer this butter because it doesn’t have a strong soy taste, so it works well in baked goods. Recipe tip: make sure your butter is softened before creaming with sugar.

Sugar. White (refined) sugar is used in this recipe. My Darling Vegan has a helpful resource on choosing vegan sugar. You’ll want to use a classic fine grain baking sugar like the kind usually found in table sugar.

Vanilla extract. Because vanilla flavoring is integral to vanilla wafers, I recommend using pure vanilla extract for these cookies. But I won’t judge you if you use artificial vanilla, the real stuff is expensive!

All-purpose white flour. I use White Lily for most of my baking (not just biscuits!), but any all-purpose flour will do.

Baking powder. Because we aren’t using eggs in this recipe, baking powder is integral to the cookie rising.

*honorable mention for salt, which adds a contrasting flavor to these otherwise quite sweet cookies.

How to make vegan vanilla wafers

These cookies are made using the classic cookie method. You’ll start by creaming together butter and sugar with a hand or stand mixer.

Next, add the vanilla and beat until combined. Mix your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) in a separate bowl to assure even distribution.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, beating until just combined.

For evenly sized cookies, use a teaspoon to measure out cookie dough into small balls. Space these cookie dough balls at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15-18 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven; the cookies are ready when the edges are golden brown.

Wondering why I really made vanilla wafers? A very tasty and comforting vegan banana pudding recipe is coming to the blog very soon, and there’s nothing quite like homemade vanilla wafers and banana pudding!

Looking for more vegan desserts?

Overhead view of vanilla wafers cooling on a wire rack.

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