Neiman Marcus Cake is that rare dessert that checks every box:
- ✅ Easy to make with pantry staples
- ✅ Ready in under an hour
- ✅ Rich, gooey, buttery texture
- ✅ Crowd-pleasing and potluck-approved
- ✅ No-fail—even for beginner bakers
It’s not just a cake—it’s a sugar-coated, cream-cheese-topped, buttery-bottomed bar of happiness. Whether you’re hosting guests, attending a church gathering, or just craving something indulgent on a weeknight, this is the dessert you’ll turn to again and again.
🍯 What Is Neiman Marcus Cake?
Despite the name, Neiman Marcus Cake has no direct connection to the luxury department store. It’s a southern-inspired treat that became popular through community cookbooks and potluck tables.
Also known as:
- Gooey Butter Cake
- Chess Squares
- Texas Gold Bars
At its core, it’s a two-layer bar dessert:
- A dense, buttery cake base
- A creamy, sweet, slightly crackly top layer of cream cheese and sugar
It’s not a fancy layer cake, but rather a no-fuss square that tastes like the lovechild of cheesecake and butter cake.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)
Here’s the beauty of this recipe: it uses simple ingredients, but every one of them serves a purpose.
📌 For the Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
Your shortcut to rich, golden flavor without measuring out flour and sugar. - 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Adds richness, moisture, and that signature dense texture. - 1 egg
Binds the base and gives it just enough structure.
📌 For the Gooey Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Brings a tangy contrast to the sweet base and creates the luscious top layer. - 2 eggs
Add body and create that just-set texture in the topping. - 1 tsp vanilla extract
Enhances flavor with warm undertones. - 4 cups powdered sugar
Sweetens the topping and helps create that crackly, glossy finish on top.
💡 Pro Tip: Let your cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. It will blend more smoothly.
👨🍳 How to Make Neiman Marcus Cake – Step-by-Step Instructions
This is a one-bowl base + one-bowl topping operation. No fancy equipment needed.
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Base
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- Mix until you get a thick dough (similar to cookie dough).
- Press evenly into the bottom of your baking dish using your hands or a spatula.
Step 3: Make the Gooey Topping
- In a separate bowl, beat:
- 8 oz softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add:
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Mix until creamy and well-blended.
- Gradually add:
- 4 cups powdered sugar (in batches to avoid a sugar cloud)
- Beat until smooth and pourable.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
- Pour the cream cheese topping over the base.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is slightly jiggly.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
- Let the cake cool completely before cutting into squares.
- The texture will continue to set as it cools.
🎉 You’re done! Time to dive in.
🎯 Baking Tips to Get It Just Right
- Don’t overbake. The center should still jiggle a little when you take it out.
- Use room-temperature ingredients. Especially cream cheese—it blends better.
- Line your pan if you want super clean cuts.
- Let it cool completely. It will be easier to cut and taste better.
⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Overmixing the base | Mix just until combined. Overmixing = tough crust. |
| Cold cream cheese | Let it sit out for 30 minutes for a smooth blend. |
| Adding sugar all at once | Add gradually to prevent a powdery mess. |
| Overbaking | Remove when edges are golden but center is slightly soft. |
🍫 Neiman Marcus Cake Variations
Want to jazz it up a bit? Try these fun twists:
- Chocolate Lover’s Version
Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the topping. - Lemon Zing
Use lemon cake mix and add 1 tbsp lemon zest to the cream cheese topping. - Nutty Twist
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the base before baking. - Holiday Spice
Use spice cake mix + a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
🍽️ Serving Ideas – How to Elevate This Dessert
Neiman Marcus Cake is fabulous on its own, but here are some elegant ways to serve it:
- 🍨 With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- 🍓 Topped with fresh strawberries or raspberries
- ☕ With a cup of strong black coffee or espresso
- 🍫 Drizzled with chocolate or caramel sauce
- 🍷 Served alongside a glass of dessert wine or port
Perfect for:
- Potlucks
- Sunday brunches
- Holiday dessert tables
- Bake sales
⏰ Make Ahead and Storage Tips
✅ Make Ahead
You can absolutely bake this a day ahead! It actually tastes better the next day.
Let it cool completely, then:
- Cover the entire pan with foil or plastic wrap
- Refrigerate overnight
✅ Storage
- Room Temperature: Up to 2 days (if cool and dry)
- Refrigerator: Up to 7 days in an airtight container
- Freezer: Up to 2 months. Wrap individual squares in plastic + foil
💡 To reheat: 10–15 seconds in the microwave brings back that gooey texture.
🧾 Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12–15 squares
Cuisine: American
Category: Dessert
✅ Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
✅ Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter. Press into the pan.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar until smooth.
- Pour topping over the base and spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until edges are golden and center is slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely before slicing.
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Square)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 |
| Sugar | 40g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 54g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
⚠️ This dessert is indulgent and high in sugar. Enjoy in moderation!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! Chocolate, lemon, red velvet, or spice cake mixes work beautifully for fun variations.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely—just use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Everything else remains the same.
Q: Is it okay to freeze the cake?
Yes, it freezes well. Wrap individual squares tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Q: Why is it called Neiman Marcus Cake?
It’s a catchy name that stuck! It has no official link to the department store, but the recipe became popular through word-of-mouth and old-fashioned cookbooks.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar?
The topping relies on sugar for texture, but you can try using 3 cups instead of 4 for a slightly less sweet result.
💬 Final Thoughts – Why This Cake Deserves a Spot in Your Recipe Box
Neiman Marcus Cake with Gooey Butter Topping is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a reliable, delicious, and nostalgic dessert that has earned its place in kitchens everywhere. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just yourself, it’s simple to make, hard to mess up, and downright addictive.
Try it once, and you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time.
