This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Neiman Marcus cake uses an easy box cake shortcut to create a gooey and nutty butter cake with a tangy cream cheese topping!
Why is it called Neiman Marcus Cake?
To be honest, no one really knows why! But, we DO know that this Neiman Marcus cake is delicious and a family favorite similar to our Gooey Butter Cake!!
This classic version has pecans, coconut, and a more cake-like/bar bottom layer made with a yellow cake mix (it’s sometimes called “Texas Gold Bars”). Topped off with a sweet cream cheese layer and you have one tasty dessert!
If you’re looking to make a rich but simple dessert that is quick (just 7 minutes of prep) – this is the one to try! But don’t say we didn’t warn you, it’s ADDICTING!
This recipe is great for an after dinner treat, potlucks and special occasions. For more favorite cakes, try our Easy Chocolate Cake and White Texas Sheet Cake.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Cake or bar. Whatever you call it, it’s so good! A crust of cake filled with pecans and a sweet cream cheese layer are hard to resist.
- Just mix and bake!!! It’s prepped in only 7 minutes for one EASY dessert!
- Serves 12. It makes a 9×13 pan-full, perfect for feeding a crowd. Cut it into smaller slices to serve even more!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 7 minutes
COOK TIME: 35 minutes
Crust
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix – For a classic Nieman Marcus cake, stick to yellow cake mix. Use chocolate, red velvet, or carrot cake mix to switch up the flavor.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – see How to Soften Butter Quickly
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup coconut flakes – unsweetened or sweetened coconut
- 3 large eggs – room temperature
Batter
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar – sifted
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg – room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- optional toppings – Homemade Whipped Cream, fresh berries and sprinkle on extra nuts
How to Make Neiman Marcus Cake
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 dish and set aside.
- CAKE BATTER. In a medium bowl, beat cake mix, softened butter, chopped pecans, coconut flakes and eggs. Once combined well, pour the mixture into the prepared dish and spread to cover the bottom of the pan.
- CREAM CHEESE LAYER. In another bowl, beat the powdered sugar, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla. Once combined, pour over the crust.
- BAKE. Bake for 24-26 minutes or until the top has begun to brown.
More Like This
Box Cake Recipes
Gooey Butter Cake
47 mins
Jello Poke Cake
3 hrs 35 mins
Easy Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 45 mins
Better than Anything Cake
2 hrs 35 mins
Sheet Cake Recipes
White Texas Sheet Cake
30 mins
Moist Sour Cream Chocolate Cake
1 hr 5 mins
Lemon Sheet Cake
35 mins
Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
45 mins
Collections
Neiman Marcus Cake
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 3 eggs
Cream Cheese Layer
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 dish and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat cake mix, softened butter, chopped pecans, coconut flakes and eggs. Once combined well, pour into the prepared dish and spread to cover the bottom of the pan.
- In another bowl, beat the powdered sugar, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla. Once combined, pour over the crust and bake for 24-26 minutes or until the top has begun to brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
This recipe is for the classic Neiman Marcus cake using yellow cake mix. However, you can easily change it up and use any flavor of cake mix. Chocolate cake, red velvet, and carrot cake are all great choices.
Cover and store in the fridge for 5-7 days, or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
I made it! Used the Almond cake mix. Then before baking, took a low sugar cherry-blueberry jam from Costco, warmed it to be stirred smoother but chucky, just 30 seconds in microwave and did drops on the top. I swirled just a bit, and baked, adding 7 minutes so moisture was ok with added jam, and not soft in the center. Omg! Delicious!
Can you make this cake a day ahead of serving it?
Yes you could!
This is NOT the traditional Neiman Marcus Cake. This includes coconut and nuts, neither of which is in the traditional cake sold at Neiman Marcus stores.
Neiman Marcus cake, the best. I use to make it along time ago. Forgot about it till I seen your recipe. It brought back a lot of memories. My family loved it than and it’s going to be a surprise tonight. Thank you
top of cake soggy and bottom of cake really dry but tastes good used carrot cake mix.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
The Neiman Marcus cake is way too sweet for our house. I expected more crust and less filling. It was just the opposite.
My husbands ALL time favorite!!
So happy to hear that!!
The worst cake I have ever made! Super sticky around edge, dense and super gooey in the middle, and way too sweet. Disaster trying to cut it up! Threw it in the trash!
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the cake. Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!