119 vanilla wafer recipes

Chocolate contains compounds believed to boost serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. Among them are theobromine and caffeine, which can increase alertness and trigger a pleasurable feeling similar to the natural high after exercise. Another group of compounds, called flavonoids, has been found to benefit heart health. Studies suggest they improve blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels.

Fruited cream puffs: shortcut pate a choux made with pancake mix, filled with ice cream and topped with sweetened strawberries. Ten elegant frozen desserts from pantry staples.

Very light, healthy and delicious cheesecake for the weight watchers!

Buttery pecan shortbread cookie balls dipped in vanilla frosting and rolled in tinted coconut. Melt-in-your-mouth tender, baked low and slow, and perfect for holiday cookie exchanges. Makes 48.

A quick microwave brownie made with Alba chocolate mix and artificial sweetener for a low-calorie chocolate fix. Mix, microwave for 7 minutes, and you're done. Just 6 simple ingredients.

Fresh pineapple rings nestled in a chilled vanilla-honey sauce set with agar flakes. A light, elegant fruit dessert that's naturally dairy-free and comes together in 35 minutes.

Easy orange chiffon cake uses an angel food cake mix as a shortcut to a fluffy, citrus-bright chiffon. Folded with whipped egg whites, fresh orange zest, and oil for that classic light-as-air texture.

Kolacky cookies made with a tender cream cheese pastry dough filled with fruit spread, pinched into tri-cornered shapes, and baked golden. A Czech holiday cookie tradition.

A creamy dessert combining coconut, dragon fruit and cashew nuts. Dragon fruit is a rich source of antioxidants and fibre, cashews deliver heart-protective monosaturated fats, while the fat contained in coconut meat has been shown to exhibit anti-microbial, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconuts also contain lauric acid (found most abundantly in mothers’ milk) which is an important immune system booster. Despite its bad reputation, coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils available.

Thin, crispy slice-and-bake cookies with shredded coconut and walnuts. A refrigerator cookie dough you roll, chill, and slice into wafer-thin rounds that bake up snappy in 10 minutes. Makes 48.

Ice cream pie with a self-forming spice cake crust that collapses into a pie shell as it bakes. Filled with maple nut or cinnamon ice cream and frozen until firm.

Famous oatmeal cookies with 3 cups of rolled oats, brown sugar, and vanilla. A big-batch base recipe that yields 5 dozen and welcomes raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut mix-ins.

A moist Bundt cake blending vanilla mix with pistachio pudding and whiskey, studded with cherries, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Topped with a simple vanilla glaze.

Layered fudge squares sandwich a homemade marshmallow fondant between two layers of milk chocolate fudge, then top with chopped nuts. Old-school candy-shop technique that yields about 48 squares of three-textured chocolate.

A feather-light strawberry mousse that skips the heavy cream entirely. Whipped egg whites and skim milk powder create the airy texture, while gelatin holds it all together. Low-calorie indulgence that actually satisfies.

No-bake cafe au lait blender cheesecake whips cottage cheese, instant coffee, and whipped topping into a light gelatin-set dessert. Cinnamon zwieback crumbs top each slice.