This buttery Vanilla Wafer Cake uses a box of Vanilla Wafers instead of flour. Shredded coconut and chopped pecans get mixed into the batter and it is baked up in a bundt pan. This is seriously one of the most delicious cakes I’ve ever eaten.
I think I gained about 5 pounds the week I made this cake because I kept going back for just one more little sliver.
It’s positively addicting! The texture is wonderfully moist and dense and the flavor is fabulous.
Vanilla Wafer Cake Recipe
This is a recipe that’s been around for quite a few years and it is similar to a pound cake, only I think it is much, much better.
How To Serve
Vanilla Wafer Cake doesn’t have any icing and it really doesn’t need any. Maybe a dollop of whipped cream, but that is all.
This cake bakes up wonderfully moist and sweet and it will stay fresh for days. It’s sturdy like a pound cake, making it a good choice for taking to potlucks.
Recipe Tips
- Walnuts can be used in place of pecans.
- This cake has a tendency to want to stick to the pan. Be sure you use a good quality nonstick bundt pan and grease it well. I have good luck using Baker’s Joy Spray with Flour.
How To Store
Wrap it well and it can be stored at room temperature for 4 days. It also freezes well. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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More Old-Fashioned Cakes
- Hummingbird Cake
- Watergate Cake
- Oatmeal Cake
- Southern Caramel Cake
- Classic Southern Pound Cake
- Classic Coca Cola Cake
Vanilla Wafer Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, (1 cup), softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 6 eggs
- 1 (11-ounce) box vanilla wafers,, placed in a plastic bag and crushed with a rolling pin or use a food processor
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (7-ounce) package sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a Bundt Pan well.
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Alternate between mixing in vanilla wafer crumbs and milk.
- Stir in vanilla extract, coconut, and pecans.
- Place in oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes.
- Let cool in pan for 15 minutes and then invert onto a cake stand or plate.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted January 21, 2017.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
This cake is a must. At. Christmas or birthdays. I have done it in a bundt and I have gotten the mini aluminum loaf pans made basket of homemade goodies their favorites. To add or drizzle of some homemade cream cheese icing to the cake is delicious.
This cake is amazing. Been in my family for years. The first time I made it I did not have enough wafers and it fell. I was wondering if I could use one stick of butter instead of one.
Any thoughts on swapping the coconut with bananas? I read the comment about using carrots, which sounds good too. I overbought vanilla wafers on BOGO at Publix so I have a good stock to make it with, LOL
Did you end up trying it with bananas? I’d love to know if it worked out.
Hi, can I use other nuts beside pecans?
Looks great! Has anyone cooked this is 2 loaf pans instead of a Bundt pan?
I use to make this cake in the 70’s when the boxes of Vanilla Wafers were bigger. I recently made the recipe
but now the boxes are smaller and the cake fell. Do you know how much wafers I would need ?
Sounds like the inside out German cake I make…think I will put a chocolate frosting or glaze
I have been making this cake for 40 years, and it is a show stopper every time!
My Brother n Law made this cake Memorial Day 2018 and it was very very good. It is his favorite cake to make.
Do you have any idea about the measurement on vanilla wafers??? We have a large ziplock bag of crushed wafers left from a food activity for church with kids. Was looking for someway to use them and this cake sounds delicious Was wondering if 1 1/2 cups would be right since 12 oz pkg used. Not sure if that would equate in volume???
It’s a lot more than 1 1/2 cups. I dump them in a 4 cup measuring cup and its about 3/4 full.
Recipe says 11oz box ; So just measure out 11 ounces of Vanilla wafers