Neiman Marcus Chocolate Decadence Cake

Neiman Marcus Cake Decadent Chocolate Dream Recipe

By Chef BakerSeptember 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Let's Bake a Legend!

Quick Hook

Ever wondered about the ultimate decadent chocolate cake ? We're diving into the world of the Neiman Marcus Cake , a recipe that's more internet myth than actual department store creation.

Trust me, this cake is seriously addictive, so you might as well double the recipe from the start!

Brief Overview

The Neiman Marcus Cake recipe is a rich, devil's food cake -esque delight with roots lost in the annals of online recipe sharing.

It’s a medium difficulty bake, requiring about an hour and fifteen minutes of your time. This classic cake recipe makes about 12 servings.

Main Benefits

This isn’t just any chocolate cake recipe ; it's a rich chocolate dessert that'll impress everyone. This homemade cake frosting is to die for! It's the perfect showstopper for birthdays, holidays, or just because you deserve something truly special.

The tang from the sour cream frosting cuts through the chocolate beautifully, making it less cloying and more... perfect.

Craving Chocolate?

The story goes, someone got this recipe at a Neiman Marcus restaurant and then spread the Neiman Marcus Cake recipe all over the web.

It became legend. Honestly, whether or not the story is true, this cake is worth the hype.

From Humble Ingredients to Cake Royalty

It might sound daunting, but baking is all about understanding the basics. Room temperature ingredients are your best friend! Especially the butter for the frosting, unless you want a lumpy mess.

We're talking about unsalted butter .

Don't be shy to try this easy cake recipe. Just remember, patience is key. Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. I know, it's torture, but trust me.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Baking!

Alright, let's talk about what you'll need to bake this Neiman Marcus cake , this decadent chocolate cake that's legendarily linked to the department store but is really just an amazing, super rich chocolate cake recipe that everyone loves! Before we dive in, remember baking is a science.

Precise measurements are key!.

Main Ingredients for the Neiman Marcus Cake Recipe

Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) . Softened butter is crucial. Trust me, creamed butter makes for a light cake.
Granulated Sugar: 2 cups (400g) .
Large Eggs: 4 .
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Use the real stuff, alright?
Unsweetened Chocolate: 4 ounces (113g) . This needs to be melted and cooled slightly. Important!. Get good quality chocolate.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups (250g) .
Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
Salt: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) .
Buttermilk: 1 cup (240ml) . If you don't have any, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and let it sit for like, five minutes. For the Sour Cream Frosting :
Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) . Again, softened.
Cream Cheese: 6 ounces (170g) . Softened! Seriously, don't skip this step.
Powdered Sugar: 6 cups (720g) . Sift it to avoid lumps!
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
Sour Cream: ½ cup (120ml) . This gives the sour cream frosting that special tang.
Pecans or Walnuts: 1 cup , chopped, for garnish (optional).

Seasoning Notes: Elevate Your Devil's Food Cake

This is where we get creative with flavor enhancers. For this classic cake recipes , Don't skimp on vanilla. It's a flavor booster. Add a pinch of salt. It balances the sweetness.

Essential Spice Combos: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of instant coffee powder to the batter for a mocha twist.
Flavor Enhancers: Almond extract? A splash will enhance things.
Quick Subs: Don't have buttermilk? Yogurt works too.

Equipment Needed: Baking Tips and Tricks

You don't need fancy gadgets, only basic stuff

Two 9 inch round cake pans .
Parchment paper.
Electric mixer (stand or hand).
Mixing bowls. Different sizes.
Rubber spatula. For scraping bowls clean.
Wire rack.
Offset spatula. For frosting smoothly.

Honestly, you don't need anything super fancy to pull off this rich chocolate dessert recipe. You are going to create a homemade cake frosting with the right tools and the right baking tips and tricks .

A spoon can stand in for a spatula. A plate can stand in for a wire rack.

It will be an easy cake recipes as long as you follow the recipe and get those measurements right! Now, let’s bake that cake!

Baking Your Way to Chocolate Bliss: The Neiman Marcus Cake

Alright, let's talk about the Neiman Marcus cake . You know, that decadent chocolate cake that everyone raves about? There is a story that says that a women once asked the waiter about the chocolate cake recipe served at the restaurant and they asked for 250 usd to give it to her.

.. So she shared it to every one! Honestly, it's more of a legend than a verified fact that the Neiman Marcus cake ever came from the store itself.

But hey, who cares when the result is this good? This rich chocolate dessert is seriously epic. Imagine the most amazing devil's food cake , then crank up the volume to eleven.

Prep Like a Pro

First things first: mise en place . Get everything measured and ready. Softened butter is a must. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.

Safety? Watch out for hot chocolate! Melted chocolate can burn.

Melt 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
Sift 2 cups of flour
Measure 1 cup of buttermilk

Let's Get Baking!

Follow these simple steps.

Cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until fluffy.
Add 4 eggs , one at a time. Mix well.
Stir in the cooled, melted chocolate and 1 teaspoon of vanilla .
Mix 2 cups flour , 1 teaspoon baking soda , and 1/2 teaspoon salt .
Add the dry ingredients and 1 cup buttermilk alternately to the wet ingredients.
Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch pans .
Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 35- 40 minutes . A toothpick will come out clean.

Tricks of the Trade

Don't overmix the batter! It makes the cake tough. Room temperature ingredients are your friends. And speaking of friends, make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened for that amazing sour cream frosting .

Cooling the cakes completely before frosting is a must. You can chill the cake for at least 30 minutes after frosting.

I once tried to rush the cooling process. Oh my gosh, what a disaster! The frosting melted right off. Learn from my mistakes, friends. Remember, patience, young Padawan.

Take it to the Next Level

Add a tablespoon or two of instant espresso powder to the batter. Mocha madness, baby! If you are nut allergic, just omit the garnish.

This cake has some classic cake recipes that you will enjoy

Neiman Marcus cake recipe it's easier than you think, and the result is pure chocolate bliss. This is really an easy cake recipe .

This decadent chocolate cake recipe is so good and also, this delicious and amazing homemade cake frosting is something else.

Recipe Notes for Neiman Marcus Chocolate Decadence Cake

So you're ready to bake this dreamy chocolate cake recipe ? Awesome! Before you preheat that oven, let's go over a few things.

This neiman marcus cake recipe is pretty straightforward, but a few baking tips and tricks will make all the difference, trust me! Honestly, even though this cake isn’t really from Neiman Marcus, it's definitely worthy of their name.

Plating Like a Pro & Perfect Pairings

Listen, presentation matters! Think about your favourite episode of The Great British Bake Off . I love to dust a slice with cocoa powder.

It looks posh, right? A scoop of good vanilla ice cream is essential. For drinks, a cup of strong coffee or a glass of cold milk are my go-to.

Honestly, this decadent chocolate cake is so rich, you don't need much else!

How to Keep Your Cake Delicious

Right, let's talk storage. This rich chocolate dessert is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftovers (lucky you!), wrap it tightly and pop it in the fridge.

It'll keep for about 3 days. Fancy freezing? You can! Wrap individual slices tightly in cling film and then foil.

They'll be good for up to a month. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Honestly, nothing beats a slice of this with a cup of tea! Reheating is not recommended.

Changing it Up (Because Why Not?)

Want to make this chocolate cake recipe your own? Go for it! For a nut-free version, just skip the pecans or walnuts on top.

Easy peasy! Or if you want to change it up and add 1-2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder to the cake batter for a mocha flavor.

This devil's food cake tastes amazing with coffee! It's so yummy!

The Good Stuff (Nutrition ish)

Okay, this isn't exactly health food, but a little of what you fancy does you good, right? Each slice is about 650 calories.

And, this classic cake recipe is worth every single one.

With these tips and tricks, your neiman marcus cake will be a showstopper. Happy Baking!. I hope you enjoy baking my easy cake recipes .

Honestly, this cake is a total winner. Enjoy! I hope you love this homemade cake frosting !

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Neiman Marcus cake? Is it like finding the Holy Grail of desserts?

The "Neiman Marcus Cake" is more of a legend than a literal recipe from the store! It's a rich, decadent chocolate cake, often made with sour cream frosting. Think of it as a classic chocolate cake recipe that's been passed down and embellished over the years a bit like your gran's secret ingredient that makes her Yorkshire puddings the best!

My frosting is a bit runny! Help! Is there anything I can do to thicken the Neiman Marcus cake frosting?

Don't panic! A runny frosting is a common baking mishap. First, ensure your butter and cream cheese were truly softened, not melted. If it's still too thin, add powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Chill the frosting for 30 minutes to help it firm up - just like getting your act together before a big presentation!

Can I make this Neiman Marcus cake ahead of time? I'm channelling my inner Monica Geller and planning a dinner party.

Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature, or even freeze them for longer storage. The frosting can also be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just let it soften slightly before frosting the cake.

It's all about that prep, prep, prep!

How should I store leftover Neiman Marcus cake? I doubt there will be any but, you know, just in case!

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze individual slices for a longer treat. Just remember to let them thaw completely before digging in. Like a fine wine, it ages well...

for a few days, anyway.

I'm allergic to nuts. Can I still make the Neiman Marcus cake? What can I substitute?

Absolutely! The nuts are optional, typically used as a garnish on top. Just leave them out altogether. If you still want a little something extra on top, consider using chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or even fresh berries to add some visual appeal, just like they do on The Great British Baking Show!

Is this Neiman Marcus cake recipe healthy? I'm trying to eat like Gwyneth Paltrow (but I still want cake).

Let's be honest, this cake is a decadent treat, not exactly health food. It's packed with butter, sugar, and chocolate. While it's delicious, it's best enjoyed in moderation. Consider it a special occasion indulgence rather than a daily snack. Maybe balance it out with a green smoothie later?

Just don't tell anyone you know what's really in the smoothie, you can pretend your friends are health gurus just like you!