239 vanilla wafer recipes

A fast, easy chocolate frosting made from cocoa powder, sugar, and a splash of boiling water beaten with margarine until creamy. A quick, dairy-free way to frost any cake with real chocolate flavor.

Frothy chocolate breakfast shake blended with banana, egg, and skim milk for protein. Homemade cocoa sauce sweetened with artificial sweetener keeps it low-calorie.

A retro no-bake icebox dessert with flavored gelatin, vanilla ice cream, and ladyfingers set in a springform pan. Just 4 ingredients and a few hours in the fridge.

A light parfait of vanilla ice milk stirred with crushed pineapple and frozen strawberries, set gently with unflavored gelatin. Low-calorie, no-bake, and scoopable in 30 minutes.

Dairy-free pancake batter uses warm water instead of milk for tender, fluffy pancakes that work for lactose-free diets. Six ingredients, ready in 10 minutes.

Peach Melba dessert sauce: a simple compote of peaches, raspberries, and sugar simmered into a glossy ruby topping. Spoon warm or chilled over vanilla ice cream for the classic Escoffier dessert.

Orange or grape juice blocks set unsweetened fruit juice with unflavored gelatin into firm, sliceable squares. A sugar-free, diabetic-friendly homemade alternative to gummy candy.

Grilled Banana-Pineapple Kabobs basted in a vanilla bean and brown sugar glaze. A simple, low-calorie vegetarian grilling recipe that caramelizes tropical fruit in just 10 minutes on the grill.

Hot fudge pudding cake that makes its own chocolate sauce as it bakes. Bisquick, cocoa, sugar, and hot water create a cakey top over a pool of gooey fudge. No eggs, no butter needed.

A fat-free chocolate cake made with cocoa, instant coffee, and egg whites, topped with vanilla glaze and swirled raspberry jam. Rich chocolate flavor without the guilt, baked in a springform pan.

Biscotti di Greve: Tuscan twice-baked cookies packed with toasted whole almonds and bright orange zest. Crisp, dippable, and built to keep for weeks. The Italian classic from Chianti country.

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.

Strawberry cinnamon pancakes made from buttermilk mix with sliced fresh berries folded into the batter, topped with vanilla yogurt instead of syrup. A lighter weekend breakfast.

Honey fruit soup thickens fruit juice with tapioca, honey, and your choice of fresh, canned, or dried fruit. Scandinavian-style sweet soup, served hot or chilled with sliced banana.

Pears Melba with Bosc pears poached in Marsala and dry wine syrup, served over vanilla ice cream with pureed raspberry sauce. A classic French dessert with elegant simplicity.

Vanilla buttermilk panna cotta with fresh strawberry jam on top. A make-ahead individual dessert that sets in small glasses and feeds six for dinner parties or date nights.