Neiman Marcus Bars (Gooey Butter Cake)
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 79kcal
These Neiman Marcus Bars (Gooey Butter Cake) are the most indulgent, decadent dessert. And for less than 80 calories! Guaranteed to impress, these bars are taste exactly like the name suggests: like gooey, buttery cake😍 they're so good!!
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Ingredients
Bottom Layer:
- 1/2 cup vanilla or cake pop protein powder (62g)
- 1/2 cup yellow cake mix (64g)
- 2 Tbsp granular sweetener (24g) I used Swerve
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar alternative (24g) I used Swerve
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (112g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (122g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp light butter (28g) softened
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter chips (30g) melted
- 5 drops yellow food coloring optional
Top Layer:
- 4- oz. fat free cream cheese* (113g)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar (144g) I used Swerve
Topping:
- 1-2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar optional for presentation
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and/or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
For the Bottom Layer:
- In a large bowl, add the protein powder, cake mix, sweetener, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir dry ingredients until they are mixed well. Then add the yogurt, applesauce, vanilla, butter, melted peanut butter chips, and yellow food coloring, if desired. Using a hand mixer, mix to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
For the Top Layer:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer, add the cream cheese and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla, and confectioner's sugar and beat for another minute. Add cream cheese mixture on top of the bottom layer and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool at room temperature. Then place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set before cutting. Once cut, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
These bars are best the next day, chilled, after the texture has set and the flavors have come together overnight. Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
It is normal for the top and bottom layer to flip and even combine some. This is what creates the "gooey cake"!
To make gluten-free: use gluten-free cake mix.
*If you use 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese instead of fat free:
MFP Entry: LFF Neiman Marcus Bars with RF
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar (59g) | Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 7.2g | Protein: 7.6g | Fat: 2.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4.5g