Homemade Nilla Wafers Recipes

Steps:

• Position 1 oven rack in the top third of the oven and another in the bottom third. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and vanilla sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl after 1 minute. Add the egg and incorporate on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl. Add the vanilla extract and milk and blend on low speed for 15 seconds. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed just to incorporate. Chill the batter in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before scooping.
• Scoop the batter in teaspoon-sized balls and arrange them on 2 parchment paper-lined half sheet pans, approximately 35 cookies per pan. Use the heel of your hand to slightly flatten each ball. Bake, 2 pans at a time, rotating the pans halfway through the baking, until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pans to a cooling rack to cool completely before removing the cookies from the pan.

Steps:

• For the pudding: Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a skillet. Gradually stir in the cream, making sure that all of the cornstarch dissolves. Set over medium heat and stir continuously, dragging the spoon along the bottom of the pan until the mixture starts to thicken.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl. Mix a spoonful of the hot cream mixture into the eggs to warm them without cooking. Add the warm egg mixture to the skillet with the cream, then add the butter and vanilla. Stir until the butter is melted; remove from the heat and pour into a heat-proof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing onto the surface of the pudding. Set aside to cool.
• Mash the bananas in a bowl, add them to the cooled pudding and mix together until well incorporated.
• For the vanilla wafers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• With an electric hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until combined. Next, add the egg, vanilla and baking powder and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add the flour, milk and salt and beat until completely incorporated.
• Use 2 spoons to drop teaspoon-size dollops of the batter onto ungreased baking sheets. With a dampened finger, smooth the tops of the cookies. Bake until light brown around the edges, 6 to 7 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through for even cooking. Allow to cool.
• For the whipped Cream: Pour the cream into a large mixing bowl and beat using an electric mixer. Once the cream starts to thicken, add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt and beat until light and fluffy.
• Line the bottom of a trifle dish with some vanilla wafers, then add a layer of banana pudding and a layer of whipped cream. Continue to layer, ending with a layer of pudding. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler.
• Stir in 4 egg yolks and milk; blend well.
• Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly until thickened.
• Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat; add vanilla.
• Spread small amount on bottom of 1 1/2 quart casserole; cover with layer of Nilla Wafers. Top with layer of sliced bananas.
• Pour about 1/3 of the custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make 3 layers each, ending with custard.
• Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes or until delicately browned.
• Cool slightly or chill.
• Just before serving, garnish with banana slices, then stand Nilla Wafers upright around edge of dish.

Steps:

• In the mixer bowl, combine the butter, sugar and salt.
• Beat on medium speed until smooth.
• Reduce the speed to low, add the egg yolks and vanilla and beat until blended.
• Add the flour and beat until incorporated and a smooth dough forms.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
• Roll out each portion into a log 7 inches long and about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
• Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat an oven to 350°F
• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Using a sharp knife, cut each unwrapped log crosswise into slices 1/4 inch thick.
• Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until the edges and bottoms are golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks and let cool completely.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Makes about 65 cookies.