Pin It A playful, colorful cake designed to look like a classic video game controller, perfect for parties and gaming fans.
This cake was a hit at our family game night, bringing smiles and nostalgia to everyone.
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 to 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
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 rectangular cake pan.
- Cream Butter And Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Bake Cake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake:
- Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting:
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk, whipping until smooth and spreadable.
- Tint Frosting:
- 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).
- Carve Cake:
- Once cake is completely cool, carve into a classic game controller shape using a sharp knife.
- Apply Crumb Coat:
- Cover the cake with a crumb coat of gray buttercream. Chill for 20 minutes, then apply a smooth final layer.
- Decorate Cake:
- 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.
- Refrigerate:
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!
Pin It This cake always brings back fun memories of our family bonding over games and treats.
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
Calories: 420, Total Fat: 18 g, Carbohydrates: 61 g, Protein: 4 g per serving
Pin It This cake is sure to be the star of your next gathering and is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve the colorful button effects?
Use food colorings to tint small portions of buttercream frosting and pipe them onto the cake. Add assorted colored candies to enhance the button details.
- → What is the best way to carve the cake into a controller shape?
Chill the cake thoroughly before carving. Use a template printed to size and a sharp knife to carefully cut along the outline for clean edges.
- → Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, buttercream frosting can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered at room temperature. Rewhip gently before use.
- → How do I prevent the frosting colors from bleeding?
Apply a crumb coat and chill the cake before the final decoration layer. Use thick frosting and pipe carefully to keep colors distinct.
- → Are there any tips for making the frosting smooth?
Beat the buttercream well until creamy and free of lumps. Gradually add powdered sugar and whip the mixture to a spreadable consistency.