This bundt cake made with vanilla wafers is an easy, no-fuss dessert. Every bite is moist, tender, and bursting with homemade goodness!

Vanilla Wafer Cake is rich, sweet, and packed with the nostalgic flavor of vanilla wafers. It has just the right amount of crunch from pecans and a hint of coconut for extra texture.

a slice of vanilla wafer cake is served on a white plate, with a box of Nilla Wafers and the remaining bundt cake in the background.

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Did you know you can make a cake out of cookies? You can!

This bundt cake made with vanilla wafers is the proof, and it’s absolutely delicious.

Instead of using flour, this vanilla wafer cake calls for a whole box of–you guessed it–crushed vanilla wafers! It’s super simple to throw together.

The flavor is rich, buttery, and full of that classic Nilla Wafer sweetness.

Add in the crunch of pecans and the chewy texture of coconut, and you’ve got a cake that’s anything but boring. Every bite has a little something extra!

One of the best things about this cake is how incredibly moist it turns out. There’s no need for frosting—it’s perfect just as it is.

But if you want to dress it up, a dusting of powdered sugar, a scoop of ice cream, or a little whipped cream on top is always a good idea.

This Nilla wafer cake is a great option for potlucks, family gatherings, or just because you want a sweet treat with minimal effort.

It’s one of those old-fashioned recipes that never goes out of style.

More Delicious Bundt Cakes to Try:

close-up view of a slice of Nilla Wafer bundt cake, with a bite taken out of it. A fork is in front of the slice. You can see the moist texture, with the pecans and shredded coconut in the cake.

Making a Cake with Vanilla Wafer Cookies

One of the best things about this bundt cake made with vanilla wafers—besides how easy and delicious it is—is that you can tweak it to make it your own.

If you’re not a fan of pecans, swap them out for walnuts (or skip the nuts altogether).

Coconut is another ingredient that some people love and others avoid, but even though it adds great texture and flavor, you can leave it out and still have a fantastic cake.

Want to cut back on sugar? Try using unsweetened coconut for a slightly less sweet flavor.

When it comes to vanilla wafers, any brand will work—even store brands hold up just fine.

For a fun flavor twist in this Nilla wafer cake, swap the vanilla extract for lemon or orange extract to give the cake a bright citrusy kick. However you customize it, this Vanilla Wafer cake is bound to be a hit!

overhead view of a cake made with vanilla wafers, dusted with powdered sugar, on a serving platter, with a slice on a small white dessert plate. Two forks are next to the plates.

How to Make Nilla Wafer Cake

It’s really easy to make this tasty treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Nilla Wafers
Unsalted Butter
Sugar
Eggs
Milk
Vanilla Extract
Sweetened Coconut Shreds
Chopped Pecans
Powdered Sugar (Optional)

a slice of Nilla Wafer cake on a white plate with a fork. A box of Nilla Wafers is in the background.

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

Crush the cookies. First, you’ll add vanilla wafers to the bowl of a food processor.

Pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Set aside.

two photos; one shows vanilla wafers in the bowl of a food processor; the other shows the cookies pulsed to crumbs.

Prepare the wet batter. Next, you’ll combine butter and sugar and beat well until light and fluffy.

two photos; one shows butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer; the other shows them beaten together in the bowl.

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add vanilla extract, mixing to incorporate, followed by the Nilla wafer crumbs.

two photos; one shows vanilla extract added to ingredients; the other shows vanilla wafer crumbs added.

Finish the batter. Then, you’ll add the coconut shreds and chopped pecans and mix to combine.

two photos; one shows coconut shreds and chopped pecans added to the cake batter; the other shows them mixed into the batter.

Bake the cake. Last, you’ll pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

two photos; one shows cake batter in prepared bundt pan; the other shows the cake in the pan after baking.

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then invert the cake onto a serving plate and cool completely.

Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then slice and serve.

overhead view of half of a vanilla wafer bundt cake, on a white plate, dusted with powdered sugar.

Notes and Adaptations:

Coconut and pecans are optional–you can omit either if preferred.

close-up side view of a slice of moist vanilla wafer bundt cake, dusted with powdered sugar and served on a white plate.

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 12-16 Servings

Vanilla Wafer Cake

Name: Vanilla Wafer Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 11-oz package Nilla Wafers; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 3/4 cups sugar; 6 eggs; 1/2 cup milk; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 cup sweetened coconut shreds; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

This Nilla Wafer cake is a sweet treat that's easy to make, using crushed cookies instead of flour! Add in coconut and pecans, and you've got a delicious cake that's perfect for potluck dinners or holiday gatherings.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

11-oz package Nilla Wafers
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened coconut shreds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F and spray a bundt pan with nonstick baking spray (such as Baker's Joy).
Add vanilla wafers to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer), combine butter and sugar. Beat well until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed
Add vanilla extract, mixing to incorporate.
With the mixer on low speed, add the Nilla Wafer crumbs to the liquid mixture. Mix just until incorporated.
Add the coconur shreds and chopped pecans and mix to combine.
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cake is browning too much, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking time.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then run a knife along the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then slice and serve.