These Neiman Marcus Bars are rich, creamy, and irresistibly gooey. Made with a yellow cake mix, cream cheese, and just six simple ingredients, they come together quickly for an easy dessert that tastes like it took all day. Similar to the classic Ooey Gooey Butter Cake from St. Louis, each bite has a buttery crust and a soft, sweet center that melts in your mouth.
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These bars strike the perfect balance between chewy and creamy, almost like a blondie topped with cheesecake. They're simple to make, crowd-pleasing, and always a hit whether you serve them plain or add your own twist.
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If you love easy bar desserts, try my Biscoff Brownies, Chocolate Chunk Brownies with Pecans, or Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. For something a little brighter, my Raspberry White Chocolate Blondies are a spring favorite, and if you enjoy gifting sweets, Dark Chocolate Truffles make a perfect homemade treat.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make these Gooey Butter Cake Bars:
Ingredient Notes:
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. I like Mom's Place Gluten-Free products and they have a cake mix!
See the recipe card for quantities.
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.
Confidence Tip
This is a one-bowl recipe. Instead of cleaning your beaters and bowl, simply wipe them down and continue.
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.
- Switch the cake mix: Use a chocolate or spice cake mix instead of yellow for a new flavor combination that still keeps the gooey 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!
While I love making desserts, I also love making great salads. My favorite salads are Gluten Free Pasta Salad Recipe or the Italian Potato Salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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!