Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Neiman Marcus Cake

Buttery cake mix crust, gooey cream cheese topping, golden edges, and a soft center. The potluck classic you can make with two bowls and a little self control.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A pan of Neiman Marcus cake bars with golden edges and a soft cream cheese topping, cut into squares on a parchment-lined baking dish on a bright kitchen counter
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If you have ever eaten a dessert bar that somehow tastes like cheesecake, vanilla cake, and a sweet butter hug all at once, there is a good chance it was Neiman Marcus cake. It is one of those legendary potluck bakes that looks a little plain until you take a bite, then suddenly you are “just trimming a tiny extra corner” for quality control.

This version keeps it classic: a buttery cake mix crust on the bottom, and a cream cheese topping that bakes into a soft, gooey layer with lightly golden edges. It is easy, it is reliable, and it travels like a champ.

Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, eggs, and vanilla arranged on a clean kitchen counter with a 9x13 baking dish nearby

Why It Works

  • Two textures, one pan: A tender, buttery base sets up just enough to slice, while the top stays creamy and soft.
  • Big flavor from pantry staples: Cake mix does the heavy lifting, and the cream cheese brings the tangy balance.
  • Beginner-proof method: No water bath, no fancy techniques. Mix, spread, bake, cool.
  • Better the next day: After chilling, the bars cut cleanly and taste even richer.

Pairs Well With

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Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store bars covered in the fridge for up to 5 days for best quality. I like to keep them in the baking dish and press parchment or wax paper on the cut surface to prevent sticking.

Freezer: Freeze sliced bars for up to 2 months for best quality. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container.

To serve: These are great cold, but if you want a softer, gooier bite, let a piece sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.

Common Questions

Why is it called Neiman Marcus cake?

The name has been passed around for decades through community cookbooks, church potlucks, and recipe cards. The exact origin is a little murky (it is one of those famous recipe-card folklore stories), but you will also see it called gooey butter cake bars or cream cheese cake bars. Whatever you call it, the formula is the same: cake mix crust plus cream cheese topping.

Is this the same as St. Louis gooey butter cake?

They are close cousins. Traditional St. Louis gooey butter cake is often made from scratch with a yeasted or cake-style base. Neiman Marcus cake uses cake mix for a quicker crust and bakes up as easy-to-slice bars.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes. Yellow is the classic, but butter pecan is unreal, and spice cake is perfect in fall. If you go chocolate, expect a richer, brownie-adjacent vibe.

How do I know when it is done?

The edges should look set and lightly golden, and the center should still have a slight jiggle. If you bake until the middle is firm, you lose the whole gooey magic.

My top cracked. Did I mess it up?

Nope. Small cracks happen if the top sets a little faster. A dusting of powdered sugar covers all sins, and the texture is what matters.

Can this sit out at a party?

Because it is cream-cheese based, treat it like a cheesecake bar. For food safety, do not leave it out longer than about 2 hours. If it is a long hang, set out a smaller plate and refresh from the fridge.

Neiman Marcus cake cut into neat squares with a soft cream cheese layer visible, served on a simple plate at a kitchen table

I learned Neiman Marcus cake the way a lot of people do: by hovering near the dessert table, pretending I was just looking, and then somehow ending up with a second square “for later.” It is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a baking genius on a weeknight because the ingredients are low drama, but the results taste like you planned ahead. My favorite part is the edge pieces, where the crust gets a little crisp and the topping turns caramel-kissed. If you bring this to a gathering, take your piece first. Trust me.