22 Surprising New Ways to Use Nilla Wafers (2024)

You can't think banana pudding and not think Nilla wafers. This recipe calls for three cookie layers. Make sure to use ripe bananas instead of over-ripe to avoid unnecessary mushiness. Boxed banana pudding may be convenient, but one taste and you'll be so glad you opted to make this "old-fashioned" one from scratch. Get the recipe from Averie Cooks.

"What you wind up with tastes like if a snickerdoodle and a white chocolate truffle had a baby," explains recipe-creator Colleen. Um, yes, please! More good news: these cookie truffles take virtually no time or effort. Just grind up the Nilla wafers and the rest of your ingredients in a food processor, roll the dough in some cinnamon-sugar (or other coating of your choice), and let them harden for 15 minutes in a freezer. Oh, hey, truffles. Get the recipe from The Smart Cookie.

Nothing says summer like strawberries and cream. Plus, what better way to welcome in the lazy days than with an icebox cake? This no-bake, 5-step recipe is so easy, you could practically follow it in your sleep. Fitting, since this cake with alternating layers of Nilla wafers and a fluffy cream mixture is the dessert of your dreams. Get the recipe from Spend With Pennies.

We know there's a lot going on here, but stay with us. These are lemon cheesecakes with a Nilla wafer crust topped with lemon curd and meringue frosting. They're a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and a whole lotta cute. Get the recipe from Baked By Rachel.

Everyone loves Tagalongs, but these 3-ingredient copycat cookies are as good as the originals — scout's honor! So, if you have Nilla wafers, peanut butter, chocolate, a microwave, and 10 minutes, you don't have an excuse not to make these. Just think, for the $5 you'd spend on a tiny box of Girl Scout cookies, you could literally make around 80 of these babies.Get the recipe from Back for Seconds.

This recipe gets its name from the fact that from here on out, you're going to take it to every potluck from now until eternity. You start with a thick, buttery Nilla wafer crust and then layer on the cream cheese, crushed pineapple, and Cool Whip. The result is a surprisingly light dessert that pays no attention to the law of diminishing return. "It's one of those desserts that you could eat 17 slices of and never be full," says blogger Shelly. Get the recipe from Cookies and Cups.

Combination desserts are the best desserts; why settle for just cheesecake or a rice krispy treat when you can have both? The secret to these bars is a cheesecake instant pudding mix that makes for the gooiest of melted marshmallow goodness. Crushed Nilla wafers become the perfect crumbled topping and then voilá: dessert-hybrid heaven. Get the recipe from Chef In Training.

When Hershey's Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter Chips, and mini Nilla wafers meet up you have deliciousness ... and all the ingredients required for these Acorn Kisses. Just be mindful when assembling that you after you dip the Kiss in the melted peanut butter chips you need to attach it to the wafer quickly. Otherwise, as the Kiss melts you'll wind up with chocolate-covered fingers . Although, maybe that's not such a bad thing...Get the recipe from The Wic Project.

Lucky Charms ..."magic" bars ...we see what's going on here. But, we have to say these chewy bars that stack Lucky Charms, mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and shaved coconut on a Nilla wafer crust are nothing short of "magically delicious." Get the recipe from Leom Tree Dwelling.

It's homemade banana pudding ... in a CUPCAKE! A single Nilla wafer provides the foundation for a banana cupcake filled with vanilla pudding and topped with marshmallow frosting. These take a little time, since the cupcakes have to cool completely before the centers can be removed for the filling, but the homemade-tasting result is to be recognized and revered. Get the recipe from Baked By An Introvert.

Perfecting a "Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake" may sound like a daunting task, but this recipe makes it easy as pie, or, well, cake. After baking your Nilla wafer crust for about 10 minutes, the remaining steps just involve mixing the remaining ingredients and layering them on top. Chill for a few hours and then serve. You can also top the cake with more crushed Nilla wafers "if desired," and let's be honest — it's desired.Get the recipe from Sarah's Cucina Bella.

These mini Nilla wafers are stuffed with lemonade cheesecake ice cream filling. (WE KNOW, RIGHT!?) The results are pink, precious, and pucker-inducing.Get the recipe from Cravings of a Lunatic.

Once you try this Nilla wafer pie crust, you'll never be able to return to the standard store-bought pastry crust ever again. Actually, (aside from the Nilla wafers) there are no boxed items or pre-packaged mixes to be found in this recipe, and you can taste the homemade distinction. Get the recipe from Healthy Delicious.

Apple Pie. Cheesecake. Chewy bars. Sure, let's throw them all together in one crisp, creamy, crumbly treat. And, just when you thought things couldn't get better, there's the crust (We shoulda known with a blog name like Crazy for Crust). Graham crackers and — you guessed it — Nilla wafers create a crust combo that is beyond comprehension. Get the recipe from Crazy for Crust.

Cookie sandwiches are automatic favorites because they're so cute and so much fun to eat. The Nilla wafers are filled with a banana mousse that only calls for three ingredients, so you can get to popping them in your mouth immediately. House of Yumm Pro-tip: Roll a few of them in sprinkles because sprinkles equal fun and happiness. Duh. Get the recipe from House of Yumm.

These mini banana cheesecakes are actually beautiful, so it's a shame they're not going to last beyond two bites. A Nilla wafer crust holds a banana cheesecake body and a topping of homemade whipped cream and freshly shaved dark chocolate. Go ahead and Instagram these, but be quick about it — the cheesecake is calling. Get the recipe from Baked By Rachel.

Banana + Nilla = BaNilla. (Brilliant.) You start with two mini Nilla wafers sandwiching a slice banana. Cement your cookie creation with peanut butter and make sure you coat the banana exterior. Why? You're going to roll the rims in sprinkles for "added happiness." We have to agree with Naomi, "Look at how freak'n adorable they are."Get the recipe from Baker's Royale.

With all the banana-Nilla wafer pairing going on, this orange sherbet dessert is a nice change of pace. Crushed cookies and whipped cream make an easy crust. Then, it's just a matter of laying orange sherbet and the remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle the top with more Nilla wafer crumbles and freeze for a few hours. Now, orange-ya glad we didn't say banana? Get the recipe from Chef in Training.

Don't worry — Rachel Green hasn't been anywhere near this trifle. Here we've got layers of Nilla wafers, raspberries, chocolate chips, vanilla pudding, coffee and whipped cream. Let your coffee cool before adding, but don't worry — it'll soak in. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve cold. With this recipe up your sleeve, even Monica wouldn't think twice about putting you in charge of dessert. Get the recipe from The Crafting Chicks.