# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 4 large eggs
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
07 - 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring in black, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and gray
→ Decoration
14 - Assorted colored candies for buttons
15 - Black licorice strings for controller cables (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease then line a 9x13-inch rectangular cake pan.
02 - In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture, starting and finishing with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy, slowly add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk. Whip until smooth and spreadable.
09 - Separate frosting into bowls and tint with food coloring to create colors for the controller design.
10 - Once cool, carve the cake into a classic video game controller shape using a sharp knife.
11 - Cover the carved cake with a thin crumb coat of gray buttercream and chill for 20 minutes.
12 - Apply a smooth final layer of frosting. Pipe outlines and details in black. Decorate with colored frosting and candies for buttons and joysticks.
13 - Attach black licorice strings as controller cables if desired, refrigerate until serving.
