From Fluffy Cupcakes to Decadent Pies, These 25 Vanilla Desserts Are Anything but Boring

The beauty of these simple cookies (other than that they taste amazing) is that the dough can be made ahead of time, stashed in the freezer and baked whenever a craving strikes.

Cool party trick: Gently simmer a can of sweetened condensed milk and it’ll turn into dulce de leche. That’s the filling for these delicate thumbprint cookies—yum.

This simple two-layer cake is pretty enough for a special occasion, but not so fancy or huge that it couldn’t be made just because (which is what we’re doing tonight).

It’s like the pudding cups of your childhood lunches, only a thousand times better.

Think of this simple, buttery cake as a blank slate for toppings. You could add berries, whipped cream, ice cream…or all three.

There’s something about a cupcake that makes us want to squeal with delight. These are no exception.

The melted white chocolate is creamy and sweet but won’t overwhelm the delicate vanilla flavor.

You know those fluffy, frosted cookies they sell in packs at the store? These are the homemade version.

We’re powerless against a vanilla-bean-flecked frosting. (The secret trick is to use vanilla paste instead of extract.)

A cold, creamy vanilla milkshake is a very beautiful thing. The key to the best texture is to use more ice cream than milk (but you knew that).

This one will never go out of style.

Panna cotta gives off fancy restaurant vibes, but it’s so simple to make at home and pairs with any flavor of topping.

They look like plain old pretzels, but one bite and you’ll know they’re way more special than that. (Good luck stopping at just one.)

Philly ice cream is eggless, so the vanilla flavor can really shine through.

It’s tender, fluffy, buttery, moist and extra flavorful. So yeah, it really is the best.

Now is your chance to break out your blow torch (and if you don’t have one, to splurge).

When you need a treat and you need it now, this mug cake will do the trick. It’s ready to eat in, like, five minutes.

They’re sooo much better than the kind from a box, thanks to that real vanilla bean in the frosting.

The frosting is a feast for your eyes and the sweet vanilla flavor is a feast for your tastebuds.

If you’ve never had a homemade marshmallow, you’re in a for a treat. They’re fluffier, softer and more vanilla-y than any store-bought puff could ever be.

This silky, tangy Southern pie is a classic for a reason: It doesn’t rely on seasonal ingredients, so you can make it all year.

Bonus, they’re made with only six ingredients and are (shhh) actually good for you.

You can make a cheesecake better than any restaurant, promise.

Whose birthday is it? Well, no one’s…but who cares?

At its core, this no-churn wonder requires just heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. The sprinkles are optional, but the vanilla is not.