Neiman Marcus Bars feature a tender, buttery base topped with a luscious cream cheese layer that bakes golden at the edges and softly set in the center. Prepped in under 30 minutes with only six ingredients, this simple dessert feels far more indulgent than the effort suggests. Love bar cookies? Try my White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies!
Neiman Marcus Bars At A Glance
- ⏱ Total Time: About 1 hour (25 min prep + 35-40 min bake + cooling)
- 🍽 Servings: 24 bars
- 🌎 Cuisine Type: American / Classic Bakery-Style Dessert
- 🧁 Flavor Profile: Buttery, rich, and sweet with a soft, creamy center and lightly golden edges
- 🥗 Dietary Info: Vegetarian
- 📦 Storage Notes: Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Freeze up to 4 months and thaw before serving.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Simple ingredients, easy prep, and that signature gooey texture make these bars dependable, nostalgic, and always crowd-pleasing.
Save And Summarize This Recipe
There is something timeless about simple desserts that rely on just a handful of ingredients yet deliver big results. These Neiman Marcus Bars bake into that perfect contrast of buttery base and soft, creamy center, making them feel both nostalgic and dependable. If you love that creamy, bakery-style bite, try my Cannoli Cookies with Ricotta for a similarly rich dessert that still feels easy and classic.
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If you are building a dessert spread, pair these bars with something a little lighter and crisp like my Italian Almond Cookies , or lean into the chocolate side with Spanish Chocolate Krispy Treats for an easy no-bake option. It is a great way to offer a few different textures without adding much extra work.
Key Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make these Gooey Butter Cake Bars:
Cake Mix - The original recipe calls for a vanilla cake which I used in this recipe. Change up the flavor by changing the cake mix to chocolate or even red velvet! Use a gluten-free cake mix if you need to cater to dietary requirements.
See the recipe card for quantities.
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Variations:
- Add chocolate chips: Stir in ½ cup of mini or regular chocolate chips for a richer, fudgy flavor.
- Sprinkle with pecans: Add chopped pecans on top before baking for crunch and a nutty balance to the sweet filling.
- Try toffee bits: Mix in ¼ cup of toffee bits to add buttery caramel flavor and a little texture.
- Add a swirl: Drop spoonfuls of Nutella, peanut butter, or caramel on top before baking and swirl gently with a knife.h the overwhelming sweetness that these bars can be.
- Gluten-Free - Use a gluten-free cake mix if you need to cater to dietary requirements. I like Mom's Place Gluten-Free products and they have a cake mix!
- Cake Mix - Change up the flavor by changing the cake mix to chocolate or even red velvet!
How To Make Neiman Marcus Bars: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the baking pan. Melt the butter and transfer it to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the cake mix and two of the eggs. Beat with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment until smooth. Transfer to the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
Step 3: Wipe out the bowl and paddle. Add the cream cheese, remaining eggs, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary. Pour over the top of the cake batter and spread into an even layer.
Step 4: Bake until golden bown around the edges but the center is still slightly jiggly, about 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack for 2-3 hours. Run a thin knife around the edges, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper, and cut into 24 pieces.
Gwen's Top Tip
This is a one-bowl recipe. Instead of cleaning your beaters and bowl, simply wipe them down and continue.
If you love bar cookies, you might like trying the Biscoff brownies, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, or the Pecan Brownies!
Neiman Marcus Bars FAQ's
While they didn't originate from the Neiman Marcus store, they earned their name because they're as decadently rich as the brand itself. If they remind you of something familiar, they are a shortcut version of St. Louis's classic Gooey Butter Cake, a Midwestern treat. With a texture that's a mix of chewy blondies and creamy cheesecake, these bars are simply irresistible.
Don't overbake these bars! You should cook them until they are slightly underdone. You can also find that same creamy gooey center in my Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake recipe.
Other Delicious Desserts
Let me know your thoughts on these Neiman Marcus Bars by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Neiman Marcus Bars
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 8 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs divided
- 1 lb powdered sugar about 4 cups
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Line the bottom and the 2 long sides of a 9x13 baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper, making sure it is long enough to hang over the sides and form a sling.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and then transfer to a medium bowl. (Or melt the butter in the microwave using 20-second intervals.)
- Add the cake mix and 2 of the eggs to the melted butter.
- Beat with an electric hand mixer or in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Transfer to the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
- Wipe out the bowl and paddle (no need to wash). Add the cream cheese, remaining eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Beat on medium-low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary.
- Pour over the top of the cake batter and spread into an even layer.
- Bake until golden brown around the edges but the center is slightly jiggly and the pan is shaken, about 35-40 minutes.
- Place on a wire rack and let it cool completely for 2-3 hours.
- Run a thin knife around the edges to loosen. Grasping the paper, lift the slab out and onto a cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces.
Gwen Wolken says
You will love these!