Neiman Marcus Cake
This rich, gooey bar cake starts with a boxed cake mix and finishes with a creamy, crackly cream cheese layer. It is a potluck classic: simple to make, easy to slice, and sweet enough to share in small squares.
Total
55 min
Servings
16 squares
Level
Easy
Neiman Marcus cake is a Southern-style gooey butter cake made the easy way, with a cake mix crust and a cream cheese topping. Despite the name, it is more of a home-baking legend than a department store dessert.
The bottom bakes up soft and buttery, while the top turns shiny, lightly crackly, and custardy in the middle. It is very sweet, so small squares are the right move.
This recipe uses a 9-by-13-inch pan and everyday ingredients. Let the cake cool well before slicing so the gooey layer has time to set.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
10 items · 16 squares
- For the crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg
- For the cream cheese layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar, plus more for dusting if you like
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Heat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper with a little overhang on the long sides. The overhang helps you lift the cake out later.
2. Mix the crust
In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a thick dough forms. It will look more like cookie dough than cake batter.
3. Press in the base
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use clean hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Try to reach the corners so every piece has an even crust.
4. Beat the cream cheese
In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the 2 eggs, vanilla, and salt, then beat again until creamy. Scrape the bowl so there are no lumps hiding at the bottom.
5. Add the powdered sugar
Add the powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed at first so it does not puff out of the bowl. Beat until the topping is smooth and pourable.
6. Pour and spread
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Spread it gently into an even layer with a spatula. Do not mix the two layers together.
7. Bake until just set
Bake for 35 to 42 minutes, until the edges are golden and puffed, and the center looks set but still slightly soft. A toothpick will not come out clean because this is a gooey cake.
8. Cool and slice
Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 2 hours. For cleaner cuts, chill it for 30 minutes before slicing. Dust with a little powdered sugar just before serving, if you like.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Neiman Marcus cake is a good make-ahead dessert. Bake it up to 1 day ahead, cool completely, cover, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving for a softer texture.
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Because the topping contains cream cheese and eggs, do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Freezing: Freeze cut squares in a single layer, then wrap well and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cake mix swaps: Yellow cake mix is classic, but butter cake mix or white cake mix also works. Chocolate cake mix makes a richer version with a brownie-like feel.
- Cream cheese tip: Use block-style full-fat cream cheese for the smoothest topping. Tub cream cheese can be softer and may not set the same way.
- If the top browns too fast: Tent the pan loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes. Do not seal the foil tightly, or steam can make the top wet.
Cook's note
This cake is meant to be gooey, not dry and fluffy. The hardest part is knowing when to stop baking. Pull it from the oven when the edges are set and golden but the middle still has a gentle wobble. It will firm up as it cools.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Why is it called Neiman Marcus cake?
The name is part of a long-running recipe tradition, but the cake is not clearly tied to the Neiman Marcus department store. It is commonly known as a gooey butter-style cake made with cake mix and cream cheese.
Can I make Neiman Marcus cake without a mixer?
Yes. Use very soft cream cheese and a sturdy whisk or spoon. Beat the cream cheese first until smooth, then add the eggs and sugar gradually. A few tiny lumps are fine, but large lumps will show in the baked topping.
How do I know when the cake is done?
Look at the edges and the center. The edges should be golden and slightly puffed. The center should look set on top but still soft underneath. If the whole pan jiggles like liquid, bake a few minutes longer.
Can I use less powdered sugar?
You can reduce the powdered sugar to about 3 cups for a slightly less sweet cake. The topping may be a little softer, so cool it completely before cutting.
Should Neiman Marcus cake be served cold or at room temperature?
Either works. Chilled cake slices more neatly and tastes denser. Room temperature cake is softer and gooier. If it has been refrigerated, let it sit out for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
05Keep cooking
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