# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
14 - 18 ounces white fondant
15 - Gel food coloring (black, gray, red, blue, yellow, green)
16 - Cornstarch for dusting
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13 inch rectangular cake pan.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
03 - Beat butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy using an electric mixer.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract thoroughly.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the surface, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until smooth and fluffy.
09 - Level the cooled cake. Using a template or freehand, carve into a classic video game controller shape.
10 - Cover cake with a thin layer of buttercream to seal in crumbs and chill for 30 minutes.
11 - Tint portions of fondant with gel food coloring for black, gray, and colored buttons. Roll out fondant on cornstarch-dusted surface. Cover cake with gray fondant, then decorate with colored fondant pieces to replicate buttons and pixel details.
12 - Place finished cake on a serving platter to resemble a pixelated video game controller.
