Save A playful, colorful cake designed to look like a classic video game controller, perfect for parties and gaming fans.
I enjoyed making this cake to celebrate a game night with friends, and everyone was impressed by the detailed controller look and tasty flavor.
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:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) Grease and line a 9x13 rectangular cake pan
- Step 2 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
- Step 3 Mix dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour baking powder and salt
- Step 4 Combine mixtures:
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture beginning and ending with flour Mix until just combined
- Step 5 Bake:
- 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:
- Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
- Step 7 Prepare frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy Gradually add powdered sugar then vanilla and milk whipping until smooth and spreadable
- Step 8 Color 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)
- Step 9 Carve cake:
- Once cake is completely cool carve into a classic game controller shape using a sharp knife
- Step 10 Apply crumb coat:
- Cover the cake with a crumb coat of gray buttercream Chill for 20 minutes then apply a smooth final layer
- Step 11 Decorate:
- 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 Chill and serve:
- Refrigerate until ready to serve Slice and enjoy
Save This cake became the centerpiece of our family game night and sparked lots of fun memories and compliments.
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
Save This cake is sure to impress both visually and taste-wise with only a little patience in decorating.
Common recipe questions
- → What ingredients ensure the cake stays moist?
Using softened butter and whole milk helps keep the crumb tender and moist after baking.
- → How can I achieve vibrant buttercream colors?
Adding gel food coloring to the buttercream frosting provides bright, consistent shades perfect for detailed decorating.
- → What baking pan size is recommended?
A 9x13 rectangular cake pan is ideal for shaping and decorating the game controller design.
- → Can the cake be prepared in advance?
Yes, baking and cooling the cake before applying frosting helps with clean decoration and flavor development.
- → How to create the candy button decorations?
Colored candies are placed strategically atop the frosting to replicate controller buttons and add texture.