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Close-up of a square slice of Neiman Marcus cake on a white plate, showing a golden pecan-studded base and gooey cream cheese topping with scattered pecans around it.

Neiman Marcus Cake

A rich, gooey butter cake made with a simple yellow cake mix and a creamy sweet cream-cheese topping. Soft, crackly, and perfect for parties with only 5 main ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) Yellow cake mix Base layer
  • ½ cup Butter, melted Unsalted recommended
  • 2 large Eggs For cake base
  • 8 oz Cream cheese, softened For topping layer
  • 2 large Eggs For cream cheese topping
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Adds flavor
  • 3 1/2 cups Powdered sugar Sweet topping layer

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking pan Grease or line with parchment for easy removal
  • 1 Mixing bowl (large) For cake base
  • 1 Mixing bowl (medium) For cream cheese topping
  • 1 Electric mixer or hand whisk Mixer makes blending cream cheese easier
  • 1 Spatula For spreading both layers
  • 1 Measuring cups & spoons For powdered sugar + vanilla
  • 1 Oven Preheat to 350°F (175°C)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Make the cake base:
    Mix melted butter, cake mix, and 2 eggs.
    Press this thick dough into the bottom of the pan.
  3. Make the cream cheese topping:
    Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
    Add 2 eggs and vanilla.
    Mix in powdered sugar until creamy.
  4. Pour topping over the cake base and spread evenly.
  5. Bake 35–40 minutes until the center is slightly jiggly.
  6. Cool 15–20 minutes, then slice and serve.

Video

Notes

⭐ Don’t Overbake
Remove the cake when the center still jiggles slightly. This is what gives you the authentic gooey texture.
⭐ Use Softened Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese blends smoothly with no lumps. Cold cream cheese ruins the texture.
⭐ Spread the Base by Pressing, Not Stirring
The bottom layer is very thick—use your hands or a spatula to press it into the pan instead of trying to spread it like batter.
⭐ Let It Cool Before Cutting
Cooling for 15–20 minutes helps the gooey layer set, so slices come out clean.
⭐ For Extra Gooeyness
Add ½ cup extra powdered sugar to the cream cheese layer OR bake 5 minutes less.
⭐ Protect the Edges
If edges brown too fast, cover them with foil halfway through baking.
⭐ Flavor Boost
Add a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture to balance the sweetness.