Easy Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe (with Cake Mix & Cream Cheese)
If you love easy, old-fashioned desserts that always disappear fast, this Neiman Marcus cake recipe is one to keep close. Made with yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, it bakes into a rich, gooey cake with a soft buttery base and a creamy top layer that tastes like pure comfort.
This version stays close to the classic recipe people are looking for, with simple ingredients, easy step-by-step instructions, and that signature gooey texture. Below, you’ll find exactly what you need, how to make it, how to tell when it’s done, and a few easy ways to change it up with nuts or a different cake mix flavor.
Looking for more easy one-pan desserts? Browse our Ultimate Guide to Sheet & Snack Cakes for more cozy favorites.
What Is Neiman Marcus Cake?
Neiman Marcus cake is a rich, easy dessert made with cake mix, butter, eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. It bakes into two irresistible layers: a soft, buttery bottom and a sweet, creamy top with that signature gooey center everyone loves.
If it sounds a lot like gooey butter cake, that’s because the two are very closely related. Many home bakers use the names almost interchangeably, especially when talking about the cake mix version. For this page, we’re sticking with the classic Neiman Marcus cake recipe people usually mean: simple ingredients, easy prep, and a rich, nostalgic texture.
It’s the kind of dessert that feels a little old-school, a little indulgent, and always welcome on a dessert table. Whether you’re baking it for a holiday, church potluck, family get-together, or just because you want something sweet and cozy, this recipe fits right in.
Ingredients You Need for Neiman Marcus Cake
One of the best things about this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. You only need a handful of pantry and fridge staples to make that rich, buttery base and the signature gooey cream cheese topping.
- 1 box yellow cake mix
This gives the bottom layer its soft, buttery structure and keeps the recipe wonderfully easy. - 1/2 cup melted butter
Butter adds richness and helps create that dense, tender base. - 3 large eggs
Two eggs go into the base, and one goes into the cream cheese topping. - 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
This is what gives Neiman Marcus cake its creamy, tangy, gooey top layer. - 4 cups powdered sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens the topping and helps create that classic soft-set finish. - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A little vanilla rounds out the flavor and makes everything taste warmer and richer. - 1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans, optional
Pecans are optional, but they add a lovely little crunch if you want a more old-fashioned feel.
Yellow cake mix is the classic choice here, and it gives this recipe the flavor most people expect. You can try other cake mix flavors later, but for the original-style version, yellow cake mix is the best place to start.
How to Make Neiman Marcus Cake
This is one of those wonderfully simple desserts that looks impressive without asking much from you. You’ll mix up a quick buttery base, whip together the cream cheese topping, layer everything in the pan, and bake until the center is just a little soft and gooey.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan
Heat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier lifting and slicing later. - Make the cake base
In a large bowl, stir together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 2 eggs until a thick dough forms. It will be much thicker than regular cake batter. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Make the cream cheese topping
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla extract, then beat again until creamy and well combined.
- Layer the topping over the base
Spread the cream cheese mixture gently over the cake base. If you’re using chopped pecans, sprinkle them over the top before baking.
- Bake until the top is lightly golden
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should look set, and the center should still have a slight jiggle. That little bit of softness is exactly what gives Neiman Marcus cake its signature gooey texture.
- Cool before slicing
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting. For extra neat slices, chill it for about an hour first. Once cooled, the bars slice beautifully while still keeping that soft, creamy middle.
That’s it. No complicated technique, no fancy equipment, and no stress. Just a rich, buttery, old-fashioned dessert that always feels a little special.
Tips for the Best Neiman Marcus Cake
This recipe is wonderfully easy, but a few small details make all the difference between good and truly irresistible. These simple tips will help you get that soft buttery base, creamy top layer, and just-right gooey center every time.
Use Softened Cream Cheese
Softened cream cheese blends much more smoothly and gives the topping its creamy texture. If it is too cold, you’ll end up with little lumps instead of a silky layer.
Press the Base Evenly Into the Pan
The cake mix base is thick, so take an extra minute to press it evenly into the baking dish. An even layer helps the cake bake more uniformly and gives you cleaner slices later.
Do Not Overbake
This is the big one. Neiman Marcus cake is supposed to have a soft, gooey center. Pull it from the oven when the edges look set and the middle still has a slight jiggle. It will continue to settle as it cools.
Add Pecans If You Love a Little Crunch
Chopped pecans are optional, but they add a lovely old-fashioned touch and a little contrast to the creamy topping. If you enjoy a bit of texture, they are a great addition.
Cool Before Slicing
Let the cake cool completely before cutting so the topping can set properly. For especially neat slices, chill it for a bit before serving.
What if my Neiman Marcus cake seems too soft?
It may simply need a little more cooling time. If the center still looks very loose after baking, give it a few extra minutes in the oven. The top should look set around the edges, while the middle stays soft and gooey, not wet.
Easy Neiman Marcus Cake Variations
Once you’ve made the classic version, it’s easy to play with a few simple variations. The key is to keep the same buttery base and creamy topping while changing just one element at a time.
Try a Different Cake Mix Flavor
Yellow cake mix is the classic choice, but you can absolutely change the flavor if you want a different twist. Chocolate cake mix makes the dessert richer, white cake mix gives it a lighter flavor, and lemon cake mix adds a bright, tangy note that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese layer.
Add Pecans for a More Old-Fashioned Feel
If you love a little crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans over the top before baking. They add texture and give the cake that extra homemade, Southern-style touch many people remember.
Make It Without Nuts
If you prefer a smooth, creamy top without any crunch, simply leave the pecans out. The cake is still rich, gooey, and delicious without them.
Try a From-Scratch Base
If you do not want to use cake mix, you can swap in a simple homemade yellow cake base for the bottom layer. The cake mix version is quicker and more traditional for this style of recipe, but a from-scratch base can still work well if that’s your preference.
Can you make Neiman Marcus cake with chocolate cake mix?
Yes, and it is one of the easiest ways to change the flavor. The topping stays the same, but the chocolate base gives the whole dessert a deeper, more decadent taste.
Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe Card
Easy Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe (with Cake Mix & Cream Cheese)
A Southern classic known for its ooey-gooey texture, this Neiman Marcus Cake blends rich yellow cake with a sweet cream cheese topping for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Bottom Layer:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Top Layer:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ to 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 SliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 420Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 250mgCarbohydrates: 55gNet Carbohydrates: 55gFiber: 0gSugar: 45gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated based on standard ingredients and serving size. For the most accurate data, consult your nutrition app or tools.
Neiman Marcus Cake FAQs
If you still have a few questions before baking, these are the ones readers ask most often. Here are the quick answers that help take the guesswork out of making this rich, gooey classic.
How to Store Neiman Marcus Cake
Because this cake has a cream cheese topping, it stores beautifully as long as you keep it covered well. The texture stays rich and soft, and some people even love it more the next day.
At Room Temperature
If you plan to serve it the same day, you can leave it out for several hours once it has cooled completely. Just keep it covered so the top stays soft and the cake does not dry out.
In the Refrigerator
For longer storage, place the cake in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Chilling helps the topping set a little more, which also makes slicing easier.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes. Once the cake has cooled completely, cut it into portions or wrap the whole cake tightly, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Best Way to Serve Leftovers
You can enjoy leftovers cold straight from the fridge, or let a slice sit at room temperature for a few minutes for a softer, creamier bite. Both are delicious.
Do you have to refrigerate Neiman Marcus cake?
Yes, especially if you are keeping it beyond the day you baked it. Since the topping is made with cream cheese, refrigeration is the safest and best way to store it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy dessert that feels nostalgic, rich, and always crowd-pleasing, this Neiman Marcus cake is such a good one to keep in your recipe box. It’s simple to make, uses basic ingredients, and delivers that soft buttery base with the classic gooey cream cheese topping every time.
Make it for a holiday table, a potluck, a weekend treat, or anytime you want something sweet and cozy without a lot of fuss. Once you try it, there’s a good chance it will become one of those recipes you come back to again and again.
Love This Recipe? Discover More Sheet & Snack Cake Favorites
If this Neiman Marcus Cake hit the spot, don’t miss The Ultimate Guide to Sheet & Snack Cakes. Inside you’ll find crowd-pleasing classics, creative twists, and foolproof frosting tips, from Texas Chocolate to Lemon Blueberry. There’s a one-pan wonder for every occasion, and this guide will help you pick the next one.
