Neiman Marcus Cake

Step 1: Combine the cake mix, 1 beaten egg, and melted butter to form a dough.

Step 2: Press the dough into a lightly greased 13 X 9-inch baking pan.

Step 3: Combine softened cream cheese with the remaining eggs and vanilla extract and slowly add in the sugar until blended.

Step 4: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the dough and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until it browns and seems set when shaken gently. As it cools, the filling will set even more.

Step 5: Cool completely and cut in bars. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Step 6: Additions and variations: Many recipes call for 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chopped pecans, added to the dough, sprinkled on top of the dough, or sprinkled on top of the filling. You'll also find a chocolate version with a chocolate cake mix and 6 ounces of chocolate chips added to the filling. We like it made with a Butter Pecan cake mix, although that flavor is sometimes hard to find, and I've heard that lemon cake mix is good. In short, make what sounds good or use what you have in the pantry.

Step 7: To reduce the calorie overload, just cut in very small pieces.