# 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 (black, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, gray)
→ Decoration
14 - Assorted colored candies for buttons
15 - Black licorice strings for controller cables (optional)
# Preparation steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and line a 9x13-inch rectangular cake pan.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared pan, smooth the surface, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk, whipping until smooth and spreadable.
09 - Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired for the controller design.
10 - Once cooled, carve the cake into a classic game controller shape using a sharp knife.
11 - Cover the carved cake with a crumb coat of gray buttercream and chill for 20 minutes.
12 - Apply a smooth final layer of frosting over the cake.
13 - Pipe outlines and details with black frosting, use colored frosting and candies to create buttons and joysticks, and optionally add licorice strings to simulate cables.
14 - Refrigerate the decorated cake until ready to serve, then slice and enjoy.
