16 Things to Do With Nilla Wafers

These adorable acorn-shaped cookies use Hershey's Kisses, Nilla Wafers, and chocolate chips to "glue" the two together. They make a great party favor or classroom treat and a fun activity to do with the kids in the fall. Mix it up by using different flavored chips or cookies.

Use crushed vanilla wafer cookies instead of flour to make this creative cake that tastes similar to pound cake. Pecans add nutty flavor and using dark brown sugar in the glaze gives it a richer, sweeter note.

You can make a tasty crust for cheesecake, no-bake pie, or ice cream pie using vanilla wafers. Use it in place of a graham cracker crust for a sweeter, more vanilla-forward flavor. It tastes especially great with pumpkin pie.

Make these adorable miniature cheesecakes using a vanilla wafer crust for even more sweetness than traditional graham crackers. They bake in a muffin tin and work great as a light dessert or snack. Top them with a fruity glaze for delicious contrast.

This shortcut banana pudding uses prepared whipped topping and instant vanilla pudding as well as lemon juice and bananas for a fresh, tropical flavor. It works great for a busy day or when you need a last-minute dessert. If possible, build it in a trifle bowl or clear glass cups so you can see the pretty layers.

For a sweet, unique treat, try these orange ball cookies that use a similar technique to rum balls. Crush the vanilla wafers nice and fine for the right texture,and serve them chilled so they don't get mushy. They taste best when made a day ahead to give the flavors time to meld, so plan accordingly.

This layered dessert uses pudding, graham crackers or vanilla wafers, cream cheese, and whipped topping for a delightful treat that kids and adults alike will love. It also lends itself well to variation, so feel free to experiment with different pudding flavors, adding nuts, or making the crust out of different cookies.

This banana pudding cake is made up of delicious layers; the moist cake made with mashed banana is covered with a sweet vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and whipped cream. The vanilla wafers are the finishing touch, crushed up and added to the top for a nice crunch.

A vanilla wafer crust complements this autumnal pie perfectly. The cream cheese, sweet potato, and spiced filling has a texture similar to cheesecake but with a fall twist. It comes out very rich, so serve it in small slices, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Nilla wafers make great decorations for your classic gingerbread house. Try using them for windows or doors, shingles on larger houses, shutters, or any other element you can imagine. The only limit is what you can come up with!

Use vanilla wafers for the crust on this banana pudding pie for a combination that tastes similar to a banana trifle. Sprinkle some extra crumbled wafers on top for additional crunch. You can also use a prepared graham cracker crust, for a faster preparation.

Vanilla wafers make the perfect dippers for this creamy spread that tastes like a fluffier version of pumpkin pie filling mixed with candy corn. If you don't care for candy corn, use roughly chopped leftover Halloween candy, caramels, or even caramel popcorn.

These mini cheesecakes use whole vanilla wafers for the crust, making them both easy and delicious. Bake them in muffin tins for a simple, portable dessert and top them with cherry pie filling or another fruit preserve, nuts, or even chocolate chips.

You may recognize this old-school banana pudding from your grandmother's kitchen, which uses a box of vanilla wafer cookies and bananas with a luscious meringue topping. It tastes great hot or chilled—try it both ways for a lovely, classic dessert.

Everyone will ask for these easy, no-bake bourbon balls when the holidays roll around. They taste great coated in powdered sugar or dipped in melted chocolate, and have plenty of bourbon flavor. If you like them less sweet, cut back on the sugar and add more cocoa powder to balance it out.

These adorable turkey-topped cupcakes make a great project for the kids that they will love showing off to their friends. Use Nilla wafers for the turkeys' bodies, candy corn for their feathers, M&Ms for their beaks, and a fruit roll-up for the waddle. If you can't find candy eyes, use small M&M candies to make those, too.