The 15 Best Ways to Put Vanilla Wafers to Use

Banana Pudding

I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I first saw him at the airport last fall, I just grabbed hold of him and busted out crying. Back home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true Southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

Luscious Almond Cheesecake

I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas

Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie

This recipe is delicious with either fresh-picked or frozen raspberries. That means you can make it year-round. One bite of raspberry pie will instantly turn winter to summer. —Julie Price, Nashville, Tennessee

Contest-Winning Easy Tiramisu

This recipe makes a great quick dessert for a special supper…or anytime. It’s easily doubled if needed. What a fun use for pudding snack cups! —Betty Claycomb, Adverton, Pennsylvania

Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that’s just right for cooks who don’t have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat the whole thing yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan

Caramel Cheesecake

The gooey caramel on top really makes this cheesecake. It’s definitely a family favorite. —Rena Fields, Sackets Harbor, New York

Caramel Peanut Fantasy

Packed with peanuts and gooey with caramel, this do-ahead treat is one sweet dream of a dessert to serve company. With an easy cookie crust and scrumptious candy bar layers, it goes together quickly—and will disappear just as fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Island Crunch Cheesecake

Inspiring ideas come from many places, and often when we least expect them. I enjoy making cheesecakes for family and friends, and I came up with this recipe after eating ice cream on vacation. Featuring pineapple and coconut, this cheesecake will remind you of a trip to an island paradise. —Ellen Batenhorst, Omaha, Nebraska

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

For an airy delight on a summer afternoon, try this mouthwatering cheesecake from Hastings, Nebraska’s Ken Gallagher. Because it doesn’t contain eggs, it’s lighter but also very creamy and refreshing.—Ken Gallagher, Hastings, Nebraska

Honey Pecan Cheesecake

Birthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake, and Christmas is ideal for this particular one. In our annual church bake-off, it won first place! —Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine

Easy Ice Cream Sundae Dessert

We kids couldn’t wait to dig into this tempting ice cream dessert. It’s cool and smooth with a ribbon of fudge inside. Whenever I make it for my family, I think of Mom. —Anne Heinonen, Howell, Michigan

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

“I always get compliments when I make this rich dessert,” says Erin Byrd of Springfield, Missouri. With layers of vanilla and fudge cream cheese plus a drizzle of caramel, this luscious cheesecake will win praise for you, too!

Fluffy Lemon Squares

A few handy convenience items hurry along the prep for these creamy bars with a vanilla wafer crust. They get their sweet-tart flavor from lemon gelatin, sherbet and pudding mix. They’re not only fun to make with my grandchildren, but they’re delicious, too. —Joyce Speerbrecher, Grafton, Wisconsin

Chocolate-Cherry Sandwich Cookies

I make these often at Christmastime, but they’re great for summer parties, too. Chilling the cookies before you dip them in chocolate is important because it firms up the filling. —Amy Sauerwalt, Columbia, Maryland

Key Lime Bars

I love key lime pie, but some people are reluctant to take a whole slice of pie. These bars give just the right taste of key lime and freeze well, so I can keep a stash for when I need a tart treat. —Kristine Staton, Broomfield, Colorado