We love to jazz up box cake mixes so we had to try the Neiman Marcus cake recipe that has been making the rounds on social media! We used almond extract to give this 2 layer cake a sweet, nutty flavor and everyone loved it! This cake slices up into perfect squares that are gooey, sweet and delicious!

Serves: 15
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients:

shortening (to grease pan-or use butter, nonstick spray or parchment paper)
box of yellow cake mix
butter, melted
eggs
almond extract
powdered sugar
cream cheese, softened

a bowl of powdered sugar next to a box of yellow cake, a bowl of eggs, a stick of butter, cream cheese and a bottle of almond extract

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: Begin by preheating the oven to 350º F. Prepare a 13×9 inch cake pan by greasing the bottom and sides or line it with parchment paper. I prefer the parchment paper because it makes it easier to remove the baked cake from the pan, but it also is more challenging to spread the batter.

Step 2: Add the yellow cake mix, 2 eggs, melted butter, and almond extract to a large bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium to beat the ingredients until throughly combined. The batter will be very thick! Spread the batter evenly into your cake pan using a greased spatula.

cake mix, eggs, melted butter and almond extract in a bowl being beaten with a hand mixer

thick batter being spread in the bottom of a cake pan lined with parchment paper

Step 3: Grab another bowl and beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium speed. Add 2 eggs and the powdered sugar and continue to beat until well mixed (it’s okay if there are a couple of small lumps). When throughly combined, pour it over the first layer in your cake pan and spread it all the way to the edges.

2 eggs being added to a bowl with whipped cream cheese

powdered sugar, eggs, and cream cheese being beaten in a bowl with a hand mixer

a spatula spreading the cream cheese mix over the batter in a cake pan

Step 4: Bake on the bottom or center rack of your oven for 35 for an extra gooey cake or 40 minutes for a more set cake. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares and serving. Yum!

a slice of Neiman Marcus Cake on a plate with a fork

Tips:

I love the flavor of the almond extract, but 1 tsp of vanilla extract works too!
Let your eggs sit at room temperature while you soften the cream cheese to prevent them from resolidifying your melted butter.

Neiman Marcus Cake

2 slices of cake on a blue plate next to a gold fork

We used almond extract to give this 2 layer cake a sweet, nutty flavor and everyone loved it!

Beth

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings

Equipment

9×13 inch cake pan

Ingredients

shortening (to grease pan-or use butter, nonstick spray or parchment paper)
1 pkg yellow cake mix
½ cup butter (melted)
4 eggs (divided)
¾ tsp almond extract
3½ cups powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese (softened)

Instructions

Begin by preheating the oven to 350º F. Prepare a 13×9 inch cake pan by greasing the bottom and sides or line it with parchment paper. I prefer the parchment paper because it makes it easier to remove the baked cake from the pan, but it also is more challenging to spread the batter.
Add the yellow cake mix, 2 eggs, melted butter, and almond extract to a large bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium to beat the ingredients until throughly combined. The batter will be very thick! Spread the batter evenly into your cake pan using a greased spatula.
Grab another bowl and beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium speed. Add 2 eggs and the powdered sugar and continue to beat until well mixed (it’s okay if there are a couple of small lumps). When throughly combined, pour it over the first layer in your cake pan and spread it all the way to the edges.
Bake on the bottom or center rack of your oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares and serving. Yum!