Life Made Useful

Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe From Scratch

Recipe Overview

This Neiman Marcus Cake is a rich, gooey dessert made with a buttery homemade cake base and a sweet cream cheese topping. It bakes into soft, dense cake bars with lightly golden edges and a creamy center. This is a good dessert for holidays, potlucks, birthdays, church gatherings, or anytime you need a sweet treat that can be sliced and served easily.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Made with simple baking ingredients
  • Rich, sweet, and gooey in the center
  • Good for holidays, parties, and potlucks
  • Easy to slice into bars for serving
  • Made from scratch without boxed cake mix
  • Can be made ahead of time
  • Works well with simple flavor variations

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package cream cheese, 8 ounces, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
  5. Mix until a thick, soft dough forms.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  7. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  8. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  9. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
  10. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake base.
  11. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
  12. The center should still look slightly soft and gooey. Do not overbake.
  13. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing.
  14. For cleaner slices, chill the cake for 1–2 hours before cutting into bars.

Helpful Tips

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened so the topping mixes smoothly.
  • Press the crust evenly into the pan so the bars bake consistently.
  • Do not overbake the cake. The center should be slightly soft when it comes out of the oven.
  • Let the cake cool before slicing so the filling has time to set.
  • Use parchment paper if you want to lift the bars out of the pan more easily.
  • For cleaner cuts, wipe the knife between slices.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the cake base for a richer version.
  • Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the cream cheese layer for a light citrus flavor.
  • Stir 1/2 teaspoon almond extract into the cream cheese layer for a slightly different flavor.
  • Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cream cheese layer before baking.
  • Dust the cooled cake with a little extra powdered sugar before serving.
  • Add a small pinch of cinnamon to the cake base for a warmer flavor.

What to Serve with Neiman Marcus Cake

Neiman Marcus Cake is rich on its own, so it pairs well with simple sides like fresh berries, coffee, tea, or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. It also works well on a dessert table with cookies, brownies, fruit, or other small party desserts.

How to Store

Store Neiman Marcus Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving if you prefer a softer texture. For longer storage, freeze individual slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Neiman Marcus Cake the same as gooey butter cake?
It is very similar. Neiman Marcus Cake has a soft cake base and a sweet cream cheese powdered sugar topping, giving it a gooey butter cake-style texture.

Can I make Neiman Marcus Cake ahead of time?
Yes. This cake is a good make-ahead dessert because it needs time to cool and set before slicing. You can make it the day before and store it in the refrigerator.

Can I make this recipe with boxed cake mix instead?
Yes. If you want a shortcut version, you can use a 15.25-ounce box of yellow cake mix with melted butter and egg for the base. This version is made from scratch, but the boxed version is common for this style of cake.

How do I know when Neiman Marcus Cake is done?
The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center should still look slightly soft. A toothpick may come out with moist crumbs because the cake is meant to be gooey.

Does Neiman Marcus Cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because it has a cream cheese layer, it should be stored in the refrigerator after it cools.

Can I freeze Neiman Marcus Cake?
Yes. Let the cake cool completely, slice it into bars, and freeze in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Cool Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package cream cheese, 8 ounces, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
  5. Mix until a thick, soft dough forms.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  7. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  8. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  9. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
  10. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake base.
  11. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
  12. The center should still look slightly soft and gooey. Do not overbake.
  13. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing.
  14. For cleaner slices, chill the cake for 1–2 hours before cutting into bars.

Storage: Store Neiman Marcus Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving. Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months if needed.