The Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe is a beloved dessert known for its rich, buttery texture and gooey, irresistible topping. This delicious sweet is a continuation of the cake and cream cheese, which has a tender texture that melts in your mouth. Often compared to the classic gooey butter cake, this recipe has won hearts for its ease of preparation and decadent flavor.
While it shares a name with the luxury department store, the Neiman Marcus Cake didn’t originate from there. The dessert is thought to be named for its gourmet taste and luxurious texture, similar to those found in upscale bakeries. While the source of this cake remains unknown, there is nodenying that it has become the most desirable cake recipe for any person who loves baking.
Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a milestone, or simply craving a sweet and gooey dessert, this cake is a perfect choice. Only three basic ingredients, namely, a cake-mix, powdered sugar, and butter are used to prepare this delicious recipe that takes a short time to prepare. If you’re after a Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe that’s simple, foolproof, and full of flavor, this is the one to make!
Table of Contents
Key Benefits for Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
The Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe is more than just a delicious dessert—it’s a perfect combination of ease, flavor, and texture. This is why this cake has become one of the favorite cakes to prepare at home:
1. Simple and Quick to Make
One of the biggest advantages of the Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe is its simplicity. With just a few ingredients—primarily yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar—you can create a bakery-quality dessert without hours of preparation. Since it uses boxed cake mix, there’s no need for complicated baking techniques, making it ideal for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
2. Rich, Buttery, and Gooey Texture
This cake is often compared to a gooey butter cake because of its incredibly soft and rich consistency. The combination of melted butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar creates a luscious, creamy topping that contrasts beautifully with the slightly firm cake base. Every piece that you put into your mouth dissolves in your mouth, each one of them offering the right sweetness and the right texture.
3. Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re making dessert for a family dinner, potluck, holiday gathering, or special celebration, the “Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe” is always a hit. It’s easy to transport, serve, and store, making it an excellent choice for parties and events. In addition, it is good even the following day and so you can prepare it in advance for dinner.
4. Versatile and Customizable
This cake is great for experimentation, and it is not difficult to add your twists into it. You can experiment with different flavors of cake mix, such as chocolate, lemon, or white cake, to give it a unique twist. Adding ingredients like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or a sprinkle of cinnamon can elevate the flavor even further. For a richer taste, you can also mix in chocolate chips or caramel drizzle.
5. Crowd-Pleasing Flavor
The Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe has a universally appealing taste—sweet, creamy, and buttery with just the right amount of richness. This dessert would be irresistible even to any individual who does not like taking cakes usually. The balance of flavors makes it an excellent choice for satisfying a sweet tooth without being overly heavy.
6. Easy to Store and Serve
This cake keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days, or it can be refrigerated for extended freshness. Some people, in fact, serve it cold since it acquires a slightly different texture and remains rather wet and sticky at the same time. It’s also freezer-friendly, making it easy to prepare in advance and enjoy later.
The Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe offers the best of both worlds—effortless preparation and indulgent taste. Its combination of gooey texture, rich flavor, and versatility makes it a must-try dessert for any baking enthusiast.
Ingredients for Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe

The Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients, making it an easy yet indulgent dessert to prepare. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the cake’s buttery, gooey texture and rich, sweet flavor.
For the Cake Base:
1 box yellow cake mix – It is the initial layer of the cake, which is soft and also firm at the same time. A boxed cake mix makes this recipe quick and foolproof.
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted – To contribute to moistness of the cake as well as incorporates crisp texture on the base.
2 large eggs – aides in blending the ingredients together as well as in providing the structure of the Kenyan cuisine.
For the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened – Creates a creamy, tangy topping that perfectly complements the sweet cake base.
2 large eggs – Also, the eggs contribute to making the cream cheese layer smooth and the formation of a firm layer during baking.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
4 tablespoons powdered sugar – The powdered sugar provides the sweetness as well as any elasticity to the meringue mixture.
Optional Additions and Variations:
While the classic Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe is delicious on its own, you can customize it with additional ingredients for a unique twist:
Chopped pecans or walnuts – the dish could benefit from the crunchy difference in consistency of the mixture.
Chocolate chips – to enrich the taste with chocolate chip taste.
Coconut – This ingredient provides a grainy texture and a littlle bit of the sweet flavor of the coconut.
Lemon zest – Brightens the flavor and pairs well with the tangy cream cheese layer.
These simple ingredients come together to create a decadent, buttery cake with a sweet, gooey topping that melts in your mouth.
How to Make Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe

Making the Neiman Marcus Cake is a simple and fun process. I am sure that even those that don’t bake can follow these simple steps to a create a truly delicious, sticky and indulgent dessert.
First, one needs to preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish for usage in the cooking process.
Step 1:
First of all, turn on the oven and set it to a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or using non-stick spray. You can also use parchment paper to line the dish, which will help make the cake easier to remove after baking.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Base
In a large bowl, combine 1 box of yellow cake mix, ½ cup melted butter, and 2 large eggs.
Combine all these ingredients to come up with a thick consistency batter.
Pour this to the prepared pan and using a spatula or a scraper, flatten the batter on the surface.
Step 3: Making the Cream Cheese Layer and Preparing the Orange Juice Concentrate
In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese until it becomes creamy and smooth.
Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar while continuing to mix, making sure everything is well combined.
Step 4: What to Do Contemplate:
Frost the cake with the compound of cream cheese By means of the well-described steps, produce an appealing layering of the cake and the cream cheese mixture Step 1 Meanmatters and Example Type: Layers Step 2 A blended composition of the cake batter and the ingredients mentioned above forms a delicious and disadvantageous layer on top of the cake Step 3 [less] Step 4 Imagine About: A picture perfect topping of the cream cheese mixture All the steps are carefully executed so as the overlaid smooth layer of cream cheese may give way to a tempting cake.
Carefully pour the prepared cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and spread it lightly over the surface.
Since the crea cheesy layer will settle a little lower into the cake batter once the cake is baking, it has a moist sticky consistency.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Put the pan into it and heat it up to the temperature mentioned above.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done the moment the coloration reaches the brown part and the center is still slightly soft. The dough should not be overcooked since it needs to be ‘gooey’ once baked.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it sit for about 30 minutes to cool.
In case you have used parchment paper, you can easily transfer the cake from the pan without causing crumbling. Cut it into 24 squares or adjust the size according to your preference.
Step 7: Enjoy or Store
Serve the cake at room temperature for a delightful, gooey experience. However, for a firmer texture, it is advisable to chill the cake for some time in the chiller.
To store, place leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, refrigerate for longer freshness. For extended storage, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Pro Tips and Variations for Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
Making the Neiman Marcus Cake can be a straightforward process, but with a few pro tips, you can elevate the flavor and texture to make it even more delicious. Here are some professional tips that will help you to get rid of all the possible failures when following the recipes and make your cake perfect:
Pro Tips for Success:
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for the cream cheese layer. This leads to whisking of the ingredients without the formation of clumps thereby producing a fine texture.
Do not Overmix the Batter: This is due to the fact that excessive mixing will make the cake to be in a dense phase. They may also cause overmixing to generate too much air and thus changes the texture of the cake.
Make sure these should be properly done: While baking, one has to be keen on the cake. The outside should be golden brown though the center should still be slightly soft to the touch. This is important in order of getting the distinctive and moist texture of the layer in the cake.
Let the Cake to Cool Completely: When the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it sit in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Cool it fully helps in setting of the texture which makes it easier to get evenly squared shapes.
Choose A Good Cake Mix: Though this makes use of the cake mix from a box, one can consider getting a good mix that can considerably improve the taste and texture of the cake. Choose one that is made from ingredients that are easily recognizable and of premium quality.
Creative Variations to Try:
Chocolate Chip Neiman Marcus Cake: Add chocolate chips to the cake batter before baking for a fun twist. The chocolate becomes infused in the cake and forms pockets of the chocolaty soft consistency.
Nutty Version: For added crunch, mix in some chopped pecans or walnuts into the cake batter or sprinkle them on top before baking. The nuts complement the creamy, gooey texture beautifully.
Lemon Neiman Marcus Cake: Add a burst of citrus flavor by incorporating the zest of one lemon into the cream cheese mixture. It is also possible that you can moisten the boiled marzipan with fresh lemon juice and mix the ingredients into the cake batter.
Pumpkin Spice Neiman Marcus Cake (Seasonal Variation): In the fall, swap out the yellow cake mix for a spiced cake mix and add 1 cup of pureed pumpkin to the cream cheese mixture. This produces a more moist cake with a certain flavour of pumpkin that you can’t find in the original common cake.
Ensure All Substitutes contain No Gluten: When using the gluten-free substitute, check all ingredients like powdered sugar for any presence of gluten.
Topping Ideas: After baking, top your cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an added touch of sweetness. For an extra indulgent touch, serve the cake with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
These tips and variations allow you to personalize the Neiman Marcus Cake to your taste while maintaining its signature gooey, delicious texture.
Serving Suggestions
The Neiman Marcus Cake is a rich and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in various ways, making it perfect for any occasion. It is a versatile dish and they may consume it in style and serve it for dinner or treat themselves by preparing it for a family, friends or birthday party celebration. Here the following practical serving suggestions may help to make the Neiman Marcus Cake even more enticing:
1. Serve with Fresh Berries:
Top each serving with a handful of fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. Exactly in the same way, the taste of the berries complements the density of the cake and gives a pleasant sourness.
2. Pair with a Hot Beverage:
Enjoy your cake with a warm beverage like a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a freshly brewed pot of tea. The spiciness enhances the moist texture of the cake while also sweetening the creaminess of it and solidifies well with the cold weather.
3. Drizzle with Fruit Syrup:
For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle some homemade fruit syrup (such as blueberry or strawberry syrup) over the cake. It also introduces an element of sweetness and tartness, which is quite appealing when included in the dish.
4. Add a Scoop of Sorbet:
For a lighter version, another recommended serving suggestion is to accompany the Neiman Marcus Cake with a fruit sorbet. That means the beneficial instead of using a frosting or some other means to add weight to the cake – the fruity texture of the sorbet complements beautifully the richness of the cake.
5. Use Whipped Cream or Fresh Cream as your topping.
Top your Neiman Marcus Cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgence. Whipped cream with its airy texture creates a perfect match with the moist and creamy Neiman Marcus cake. 6. Make it a Party Dessert: Cut the cake into smaller squares or bars and serve as bite-sized treats at a party or gathering. You can serve them on a platter with a selection of other desserts like mini cheesecakes or cookies for a dessert table. 7. Pair with Ice Cream Toppings: If you’ve topped the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, consider adding a drizzle of chocolate sauce, caramel, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture. The toppings improve this cake’s quality by turning it into an astonishing dessert option.
These serving suggestions can help you customize the Neiman Marcus Cake to your liking and make it even more special for your guests or family. The cake’s versatility allows it to pair wonderfully with a variety of toppings and sides, so don’t hesitate to get creative with your presentation!
Conclusion for Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
The Neiman Marcus Cake is a dessert that embodies indulgence, offering a rich, gooey, and creamy texture that’s simply irresistible. Households enjoy this cake because its soft vanilla cake matches perfectly with its creamy sweet cheese topping. Its customizable ingredients let every cook prepare a Neiman Marcus Cake that matches their preferences perfectly. No matter how you enjoy it served the Neiman Marcus cake brings happiness to everyone at the table. Perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to more formal gatherings, the Neiman Marcus Cake is easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients. Its yummy taste and attractive texture will please everyone when you bring this cake to family gatherings. You will keep coming back to this recipe. Use these professional suggestions and ingredient alternatives to personalize the Neiman Marcus Cake recipe. The cake always brings success no matter what choice you make with it. Take pleasure in creating and enjoying such a delightful comfort food at its best.
For more information about the history of cakes, click on the link History in the Baking.

Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix – The foundation of the cake providing a soft yet sturdy texture. A boxed cake mix makes this recipe quick and foolproof.
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted – Adds richness and moisture to the cake base.
- 2 large eggs – Helps bind the ingredients together and contributes to the cake’s structure.
For the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened – Creates a creamy, tangy topping that perfectly complements the sweet cake base.
- 2 large eggs – Enhances the smoothness of the cream cheese layer and helps set it while baking.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- 4 cups powdered sugar – Sweetens the topping while giving it a smooth velvety texture.
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Oven and Get the Baking Dish Ready
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or using non-stick spray. You can also use parchment paper to line the dish, which will help make the cake easier to remove after baking.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Base
- In a large bowl, combine 1 box of yellow cake mix, ½ cup melted butter, and 2 large eggs.
- Mix these ingredients together until you form a smooth and thick batter.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the surface.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
- In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese until it becomes creamy and smooth.
- Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
- Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar while continuing to mix, making sure everything is well combined.
Step 4: Layer the Cake and Cream Cheese Mixture
- Pour the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter, spreading it out gently to cover the top.
- As the cake bakes, the cream cheese layer will slightly settle into the batter, giving it a rich and gooey texture.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
- Place the pan into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is ready when the edges turn golden and the center remains slightly wobbly. Be careful not to overbake it to maintain that soft, gooey texture.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it sit for about 30 minutes to cool.
- If you used parchment paper, you can easily lift the cake out of the pan. Cut it into 24 squares or adjust the size according to your preference.
Step 7: Enjoy or Store
- Serve the cake at room temperature for a delightful, gooey experience. If you prefer a firmer texture, refrigerate the cake for a while.
- To store, place leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, refrigerate for longer freshness. For extended storage, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Servings: 12-16 servings
- Calories (per serving): Approx. 350-400 calories
FAQs about Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
What is Neiman Marcus’ cake?
The Neiman Marcus Cake is a rich, gooey dessert that combines a moist cake base with a tangy cream cheese filling. It is often made using a yellow cake mix and a cream cheese layer that bakes up into a deliciously soft, sweet, and creamy treat. Despite its name, it is not directly related to the luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, but the cake gained popularity due to its association with the store in a famous story about its recipe.
What is the most delicious cake in the world?
The “most delicious” cake is subjective, as tastes vary from person to person. However, many people consider cakes like the Neiman Marcus Cake, chocolate lava cake, or red velvet cake to be some of the best. Each of these cakes offers rich flavors and textures that cater to different taste preferences.
What makes a cake moist and fluffy?
A cake becomes moist and fluffy due to a few key factors, such as using the right balance of ingredients, incorporating air while mixing, and not overbaking. Ingredients like butter, sour cream, or yogurt help retain moisture, while properly folding in the dry ingredients prevents overmixing, which can result in a denser cake. Baking at the correct temperature also ensures a light and fluffy texture.
Why is it called a Neiman Marcus bar?
The Neiman Marcus Bar or Neiman Marcus Cake is named after the upscale department store, but the exact reason behind the name is unclear. There is a popular story that the recipe originated from the store’s recipe collection and was passed along as part of a customer promotion. The cake’s popularity grew because of its easy preparation and rich, indulgent flavors.
What is the secret ingredient for moist cake?
The secret to a moist cake often lies in using ingredients that help retain moisture, such as butter, sour cream, yogurt, or even vegetable oil. Additionally, buttermilk is a common ingredient in many moist cake recipes because it helps tenderize the crumb. Ensuring the cake isn’t overmixed and is baked at the right temperature also contributes to its moistness.
Does yogurt make cake moist?
Yes, yogurt can help make a cake moist. The moisture content in yogurt, especially when using full-fat yogurt, keeps the cake tender and adds a subtle tang. It’s often used as a substitute for sour cream or buttermilk in cake recipes, and it works particularly well in lighter cakes, adding richness and helping the batter retain moisture throughout the baking process.
Delight in our Vegan Chocolate Truffles for a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.