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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.
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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.
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!!