🌟 Why This Cake Is a Game-Changer
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No baking required
Perfect for hot days or busy weeks
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Ready in 15 minutes (active time)
Faster than delivery
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Crowd-pleaser
Even picky eaters love the chocolate-cheese combo
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Freezer-friendly
Make ahead and grab when cravings strike
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Looks fancy, tastes richer
No one will guess it started with a cake mix
This isn’t just dessert.
It’s chocolate heaven with a crunch.
🧄 Ingredients (Serves 12–16)
For the Crust
Cake mix (yellow, white, or devil’s food)
1 box (15–18 oz)
Crushed into fine crumbs
Melted butter
1 stick (½ cup / 8 tbsp)
Unsalted — binds the base
Eggs
2 large
Raw — binds everything (safe due to chilling)
Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
1 cup
Toasted for extra flavor
✅ Nut-free? Swap for crushed graham crackers or oats.
For the Cream Cheese Filling
Cream cheese, softened
8 oz
Full-fat for best texture
Powdered sugar
16 oz (4 cups)
Sifted — no lumps
Vanilla extract
1 tsp
Pure for best flavor
Optional: Lemon zest
½ tsp
Brightens the sweetness
✅ Too thick? Add 1 tbsp milk or cream.
For the Chocolate Topping
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (12 oz) bag
Or chopped chocolate bars
Butter
2 tbsp
Adds shine and smoothness
Optional: Peanut butter
¼ cup
For a Reese’s-style twist
✅ Dark chocolate lovers? Use bittersweet chips.
🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Neiman Marcus Cake
Step 1: Prep & Chill
Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper — leave overhang for easy removal
Chill the dish in the freezer for 5–10 minutes — helps crust set faster
✅ No sticking! Parchment is key.
Step 2: Make the Crust
In a bowl, mix:
Crushed cake mix
Melted butter
2 raw eggs
Chopped nuts
Press firmly into the bottom of the dish — use a glass or spatula to smooth
Chill 10 minutes while making filling
✅ Firm press = no crumbling.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a large bowl, beat:
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Vanilla (and lemon zest, if using)
Beat until smooth and fluffy — don’t overmix
Spread evenly over the chilled crust
✅ Chill 10 mins — prevents chocolate from melting.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Topper
Melt chocolate chips and butter in 30-second bursts (microwave) or over a double boiler
Stir until smooth and glossy
Pour over the cream cheese layer
Tilt the pan to spread evenly
Chill 30+ minutes until firm
✅ No streaks? Use a spatula to smooth.
Step 5: Slice & Serve
Use parchment overhang to lift the slab out
Place on a cutting board
Slice into bars or squares with a sharp knife (wipe between cuts)
Serve cold — each bite should be crunchy, creamy, and packed with chocolate-nut goodness
Leftovers? Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks — or freeze for 3 months.
🧑🍳 Pro Tips for the Best Cake Every Time
Use full-fat ingredients
Better texture and flavor
Toast the nuts
Deepens flavor — don’t skip
Chill each layer
Prevents mixing and melting
Cut with a hot knife
Dip in hot water, wipe, cut — clean edges
Make ahead
Tastes even better the next day
💬 Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Dessert Isn’t Baked — It’s Pressed With Love
We think great desserts need time, skill, and a long ingredient list.
But the truth is:
The most satisfying treats are often the simplest.
This Neiman Marcus Cake proves that great flavor doesn’t need to be hard.
So next time you’re tired, busy, or just craving something sweet and salty…
Don’t overthink it.
Make this.
Because sometimes, the difference between “just a bar” and “I need the recipe”…
Isn’t in the chocolate.
It’s in the cake mix.
And once you make this?
You might just start making it for every holiday — and every “I need a chocolate hug” moment.