Save to Pinterest A playful, colorful cake designed to look like a classic video game controller, perfect for parties and gaming fans.
This cake has been a hit at every party I've brought it to, sparking nostalgia and delight among guests.
Ingredients
- Cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter softened, 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
- Buttercream Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter softened, 4 cups powdered sugar, 2 3 tbsp milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract, food coloring black red blue green yellow purple and gray
- Decoration: assorted colored candies for buttons, black licorice strings for controller cables optional
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 rectangular cake pan.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4:
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Step 5:
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 6:
- Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7:
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk, whipping until smooth and spreadable.
- Step 8:
- Divide frosting into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired for the controller design (e g gray for the base, black for outline, colors for buttons).
- Step 9:
- Once cake is completely cool, carve into a classic game controller shape using a sharp knife.
- Step 10:
- Cover the cake with a crumb coat of gray buttercream. Chill for 20 minutes, then apply a smooth final layer.
- Step 11:
- Pipe outlines and details with black frosting. Use colored frosting and candies to make buttons and joysticks. Add licorice strings for cable effect if desired.
- Step 12:
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!
Save to Pinterest Baking and decorating this cake became a fun family tradition that brings everyone together in the kitchen.
Required Tools
9x13 rectangular cake pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer, offset spatula, piping bags and tips, sharp knife, wire rack
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, and dairy (butter). Candies may contain soy or nuts & check labels if allergies are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 420 calories, 18 g total fat, 61 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein.
Save to Pinterest This cake is sure to impress at any celebration and bring joy to both bakers and eaters alike.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients create the vivid colors on the cake?
Food coloring is mixed into buttercream frosting to produce various bright hues, complemented by colored candies for buttons.
- → How do you achieve the game controller shape?
After baking and cooling, the cake is carefully carved using a sharp knife following a controller template for accuracy.
- → What texture does the cake have?
The cake base is moist and tender with a smooth crumb, balancing sweetness and vanilla notes for a pleasing bite.
- → Can the cake accommodate dietary restrictions?
It is vegetarian-friendly but contains wheat, eggs, and dairy, making it unsuitable for gluten-free or vegan diets.
- → How long does the preparation and baking take?
Preparation takes about 30 minutes and baking around 40 minutes, with additional time for cooling and decorating.
- → What tips help with decorating precision?
Using an outlined template while carving and chilling the crumb coat before final frosting helps achieve clean details.