Today we are sharing a recipe for our rich and gooey Neiman Marcus Cake!
It is one of our go to desserts when we need something easy, sweet, and perfect for sharing. With a buttery base and a creamy cheesecake style topping, it is always a hit at gatherings. Over the years, it has become a family favorite similar to our Gooey Butter Cake.
What makes this cake so good is the soft, slightly chewy crust with coconut and pecans paired with that creamy, sweet topping. It is perfect for potlucks, holidays, bake sales, and anytime you need a simple 9×13 dessert that gets rave reviews.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try Gooey Butter Cake, Blondies, Chocolate Chip Bars, and Seven Layer Bars.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Easy dessert. Starts with a cake mix for quick prep and reliable results. It’s prepped in only 7 minutes!
- Perfect for sharing. It makes a 9×13 pan full, perfect for feeding a crowd. Cut it into smaller slices to serve even more!
- Two layers bake into perfect texture. The base sets up sturdy while the cream cheese topping stays soft and gooey.
- Mix-ins add flavor and structure. Pecans and coconut make the bottom layer richer and more satisfying.
Neiman Marcus Cake Ingredients
Crust
- Yellow cake mix (1 fifteen point twenty five ounce box): Creates an easy, buttery base with consistent results. For a classic Nieman Marcus cake, stick to yellow cake mix. Use chocolate, red velvet, or carrot cake mix to switch up the flavor.
- Butter softened (½ cup): Adds richness and helps bind the crust together. See How to Soften Butter Quickly.
- Pecans chopped (1 cup): Addsrunch and a nutty flavor.
- Coconut flakes (1 cup): Brings texture and a slight sweetness that pairs well with the topping.
- Eggs (3): Helps bind the base and give it structure.
Batter
- Powdered sugar (3½ cups): Sweetens the topping and gives it a smooth texture.
- Cream cheese softened (8 ounces): Creates a rich, creamy layer on top.
- Egg (1): Helps the topping set while staying soft and gooey.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds classic flavor to the cream cheese layer.
- 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.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Do not overbake to keep the top layer soft and gooey.
- Let the cake cool before cutting for cleaner slices.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal.
- Toast pecans slightly for extra flavor.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- 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.
Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe
Video
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.
Notes
- Do not overbake to keep the top layer soft and gooey.
- Let the cake cool before cutting for cleaner slices.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal.
- Toast pecans slightly for extra flavor.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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This recipe was first shared July, 2016.
beware…baking time is definitely wrong on this recipe. I added 12 extra minutes to make it the light brown around the edges, but probably could have added a few more.
Thanks for the feedback! Oven temperatures can vary a lot, so I really appreciate you sharing your experience with the baking time in case some people find themselves in a similar situation.
I did mine for about 37 minutes and I think it was ready. Still cooling, we’ll find out later today!
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!
Dear Kristyn, This cake is Amazing. never had anything like it. it comes together so quickly. Can’t wait for morning to have some with my coffee. It is pretty and smells heavenly. Many Thanks for the recipe.
You are so welcome! Thank you for letting me know! The smell is the best!
Hi Kristyn! I made this cake last night and it was so delicious! Rich and buttery, and I love the coconut & pecans. A couple questions…do you press down on the crust before adding the batter on top or leave it “loose”? I wasn’t sure, so I just lightly pressed on it with a spatula. Also, my batter was smooth but not runny, so I had to drop big dollops of it on top of the crust and spread it out very carefully with a spatula. Should I be softening my cream cheese even more in the microwave? It was softened, but not enough to produce a runny batter.
Why did My crust Came out soft and not crusty?
I wish I knew? Did you change anything with the recipe?
You are right, this cake is amazing!! Love the coconut & the cream cheese layer is my favorite!
what a fun cake, thank you had never heard of it or seen this kind of cake before, so thank you!
Can’t wait to make this! Never had it before but it looks amazing!
What is recipe for the icing?
It’s the batter ingredients 🙂 That is what’s on top. Hope you like it, as much as we do!
How much is a cube if butter?
A cube is 1/2 cup or 8 ounces 🙂
Your recipes are wonderful. I especially like the picture of the finished product.
Thanks so much!! I hope you’ll give this one a try 🙂
Are the coconut flakes sweetened?
Yes 🙂 Let me know what you think. Thanks so much!!
The Neiman Marcus cake looks good! What do you mean by…. A cube of butter?
It is so good!! I just mean one stick of butter which is 1/2 cup. Hope you give it a try 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!!