Sweet, buttery, and outrageously gooey, this Neiman Marcus cake brings powdered sugar, cream cheese, and yellow cake mix together in one wildly addictive bar. The soft filling contrasts the chewy crust, making it practically impossible to stop at one square. (You’ve been warned!)
You know those recipes that just kind of whisper, “Hey… wanna be best friends?” This is one of them. Part cookie bar, part cheesecake-ish situation, all wrapped in a no-fuss batter you spoon into a dish and forget about until the air starts smelling like a bake sale. It’s rich without being heavy, indulgent without turning into a full-blown kitchen project. Ideal for last-minute potlucks, “oops I forgot dessert” nights, or frankly, just a Tuesday when you need something extra sweet and a little ridiculous in the best kind of way.
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Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this Easy Neiman Marcus Cake
So here’s the deal. This recipe is one giant shortcut to sugar-drenched happiness. It comes together with pantry basics, looks fancier than it is, and makes your kitchen smell like a Southern bakery training for the big leagues.
- Ridiculously simple to make: You just squish, smear, mix, and bake. No frosting, no layers, no drama.
- Rich and gooey texture: The contrast between the chewy base and the soft cream cheese topping? It’s chewy-gooey heaven.
- Crowd-quieting sweetness: Each bite has just the right hit of buttery vanilla and soft sugary tang—it draws people in like cake sirens.
- Pantry-friendly ingredients: You probably already have yellow cake mix and powdered sugar lurking somewhere back there.
- Perfect for slicing and sharing: Great for bake sales, brunches, casual birthdays, or just handing to neighbors with smug pride.
Ingredient Notes
You don’t need to overthink this one, which is half the charm. But here’s the lowdown on what each piece brings to the party.
- Yellow cake mix: Your shortcut hero—it forms a chewy, buttery crust that holds everything together. Any standard 15.25-ounce box will do the trick.
- Eggs: You’ll use four total (split between the crust and filling) to bind the layers and add richness.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Offers that golden, buttery flavor and keeps the bottom layer moist. I like to use unsalted so you can control the final saltiness better.
- Cream cheese (softened): This is the creamy soul of the dish. Let it soften properly so your filling comes out silky, not lumpy.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash adds warmth and rounds out all the sweet notes.
- Powdered sugar: It makes the filling sweet, decadent, and smooth as frosting. Four cups might sound like a lot… because it is. And it’s worth it.
How To Make This Easy Neiman Marcus Cake
Ready? It’s one bowl for the crust, one bowl for the filling, then into the oven it goes. You’ll spend more time licking spoons than stressing about technique.
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Preheat and prep the pan: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. You can also line it with parchment if you’re feeling fancy or just hate scrubbing pans.
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Make the crust base: In a big bowl, mix the yellow cake mix with 2 eggs and that glorious melted butter. It’ll get thick, kind of like cookie dough. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just cover the bottom.
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Beat the filling until smooth: In a separate bowl, whip the softened cream cheese until creamy, then add the other 2 eggs and the vanilla. Beat again until everything’s combined and dreamy. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar (I do this in batches to avoid looking like a ghost).
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Layer it up: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust, spreading it to the edges. It will be a little thick but should settle evenly.
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Bake to gooey perfection: Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should puff up and look set, while the center stays slightly jiggly and soft. This is what dreams are made of.
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Cool completely before slicing: Let the cake cool right in the pan before cutting. It firms up as it rests, so resist the temptation to dig in early—unless you like molten cake lava. (Honestly, same.)
Storage Options
So you accidentally made a double batch. Or maybe you’re a lone cake fan in a small household (me, most weeks). Either way, here’s the scoop on storage.
Room temp? Totally fine for a day or two. Just cover the pan tightly with foil or transfer bars to an airtight container so their tender tops don’t dry out. After about 48 hours, though, pop them in the fridge.
Fridge life is about 5 days. They stay nice and gooey when chilled, like dense cheesecake bars. I love sneaking a cold square straight from the container.
Freezing? Yup, you can. Slice the bars first, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and tuck into a sealed bag. They’ll be good for up to 3 months. To thaw, just stick a piece in the fridge the night before or nuke it in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to shake things up a bit? You’ve got plenty of options, sweet friend. This cake is pretty forgiving (and honestly loves being a little extra).
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Chocolate cake mix: Swap the yellow for chocolate if you want a brownie-cheesecake hybrid vibe. It’s intense and super good with a coffee chaser.
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Add pecans or walnuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts over the filling before baking for a nutty crunch contrast to the oozy filling.
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Coconut flake topping: Toasted coconut on top adds crispy texture, and somehow makes the whole thing feel beachier (in a retro bake-sale kind of way).
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Lemon zest and juice: Stir some lemon zest into the filling for a tangier, lemon bar twist that’s surprisingly bright and fresh.
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Spice it up: A pinch of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract adds a fun flavor twist—especially nice around the holidays.
What to Serve with Easy Neiman Marcus Cake
This little treasure holds its own just fine, but sometimes you wanna make it into more of a whole thing. Here’s what pairs well.
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If you’re serving brunch or doing dessert at an odd hour (we’ve all been there), a plate of warm blueberry waffles and some fresh berries make a sweet-and-cozy combo.
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For something easy and savory beforehand, this chicken noodle casserole strikes the perfect balance of creamy comfort that leaves room for dessert.
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A cup of bitter black coffee or espresso cuts through the sweetness like magic. If you’re more of a tea person, try a strong Earl Grey and thank me later.
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Vanilla ice cream, obviously. Or go rogue with salted caramel or even a dollop of whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
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Feeling fancy? Drizzle the bars with chocolate sauce or a lightly sweetened berry compote. It makes them look 200% more impressive with about 3% more effort.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Neiman Marcus Cake?
Ah, the mystery! Despite the name, it’s not officially tied to the Neiman Marcus store. The cake earned its name from a decades-old urban myth involving a pricey cookie recipe supposedly purchased from Neiman Marcus. Though that story’s been debunked, the indulgent, rich style of this cake stuck around—and so did the name! It’s kind of like how people still say “Kleenex” when they mean tissue. Delicious confusion.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely. Yellow is classic, but you can totally use white, butter pecan, chocolate (for a brownie-ish vibe), or even red velvet if you’re feeling wild. Just know that whatever cake mix you use will strongly influence the flavor of the base—so pick something you’d enjoy on its own.
Why is the center still jiggly after baking?
That’s exactly how it should be! The Neiman Marcus cake has a gooey, almost underbaked-style center—kind of like a cheesecake bar or gooey butter cake. As long as the edges are set and the top has a golden sheen, you’re good to go. It’ll firm up more as it cools.
Do I need to refrigerate leftovers?
You can leave it out on the counter for about 1–2 days, covered, but after that it’s best to store it in the fridge. The cream cheese filling benefits from the chill, and the bars honestly taste great cold. You can nibble them straight from the fridge or warm them slightly in the microwave.
Easy Neiman Marcus Cake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box (432 g) yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter melted (1 stick/113 g)
Filling
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese softened (1 block/226 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
Equipment
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Spatula
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line with parchment for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine yellow cake mix, 2 eggs, and melted butter. Mix until a thick dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add remaining 2 eggs and vanilla extract; beat to combine. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until creamy and smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are puffed and set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. The center will firm up as it cools.
