Description
Classic Southern vanilla wafers bring nostalgic comfort through simple, crisp cookies perfected by home bakers for generations. Small circles of buttery sweetness connect family memories with delightful crunch you can savor in each delicate bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 cup (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1.5 cups (360 ml / 12 fl oz) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup (100 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 0.75 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp whole milk
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create an ideal baking surface for delicate wafers.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, creating a uniform dry mixture that will ensure consistent texture throughout the wafers.
- Creaming: Blend butter with confectioners’ and granulated sugars in a stand mixer, whipping until the mixture transforms into a light, pale, and airy consistency.
- Wet Integration: Add egg, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the creamed butter, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
- Combining: Fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture using low-speed mixing, carefully maintaining the delicate texture of the batter.
- Chilling: Refrigerate the batter for 10-15 minutes to firm up and make portioning easier, enhancing the wafers’ final shape and texture.
- Baking: Carefully drop small, precise dollops onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them one inch apart to allow for even spreading and crisp edges.
- Final Baking: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven, rotating midway through the 12-15 minute baking process to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration.
- Cooling: Transfer the wafers to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop their signature crisp texture before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate dough for 10-15 minutes to help wafers maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Precise Portioning: Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to create uniform, tiny dollops for consistent size and crisp texture.
- Rotate Mid-Bake: Halfway through baking, rotate the baking sheet to ensure even golden-brown coloration and prevent uneven browning.
- Cool Completely: Allow wafers to cool entirely on a wire rack to develop maximum crispness and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 119
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 64 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg