I was asked to make an Xbox controller Groom’s cake for my friend Mikie’s wedding reception. Here are the steps it took to make this cake a success.
STEP ONE:
I baked two rectangular layers of milk chocolate cake, placed buttercream filling between the layers, and used a stencil I created on my computer to cut the cake into the correct shape.
STEP TWO:
I frosted the entire cake in white buttercream and allowed the icing to crust (appoximately 20 minutes).
STEP THREE:
Once the icing had crusted, I used regular Viva paper towels to smooth the icing. This step helps the surface of the cake to more closely resemble plastic–a definite must when you are creating an Xbox controller! ((Note: I realize I could use fondant to give it a ‘plastic’ look…I just don’t think fondant tastes as good as buttercream, plus it’s more difficult to cut when you are ready to serve the cake.))
Next, I piped gray-tinted buttercream on the edge of the cake to match the controller.
STEP FOUR:
Using a #12 tip, I created the buttons and triggers on the top edge of the cake to match the controller.
STEP FIVE:
I used a second printout of my stencil to make all the buttons and joysticks the correct size. All buttons were created out of fondant that I tinted to match the buttons on the actual controller. All pieces were cut and shaped and left to dry overnight.
STEP SIX:
Using the actual controller as a model, I placed the fondant buttons in the correct positions on the cake. I then piped the details on the buttons using thin consistency buttercream.
STEP SEVEN:
Using the actual controller as a model, I placed the 3-D fondant joysticks in the correct positions on the cake.
DONE!
The finished product…an Xbox Groom’s cake, iced and ready for my friend Mikie’s wedding reception.
The finished product as compared to its inspiration.
As much as I dislike its taste, fondant does hold a shape pretty well. Thus, all the buttons and joysticks were completely 3-D and made out of tinted fondant.
on Apr 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
WOW!! That is awesome! Great job.
on Apr 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Very cool!
on Apr 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Abbi – that is ridiculously impressive. very cool.
LOVE the journals!
on Apr 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Sa-weet!
on Oct 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Who would have thought?? My son and I were discussing what kind of cake he wants for his 14th birthday. He said “wouldn’t a cake shaped like an x-box controller be cool!?” I thought, Google it! Low and behold – here it is…how wonderful. Never worked with fondant before but I’ve played with a lot of playdough and made some pretty good cakes if I do say so myself…wish me luck!!
on Oct 14th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Awesome! Glad I could help! Let us know how it turns out!
on Oct 18th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
My son turns 13 on the 22nd. He lives, eats, breaths, XBOX 360.
I love challenges and thought….. hmm an XBOX cake could be cool. sooo, is there any chance of these “stencils” being online somewhere?? I went out and bought the fondant but am glad that you used buttercream. I too don’t like the taste of fondant and now that I see it can be done with buttercream, ROCK ON!!
Christine, I would love to see pics of how yours turned out.
on Oct 18th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
To make my stencil, I found a good overhead-view photo of the controller and enlarged it to the size of my sheet cake. Then, I traced the outline using Adobe Illustrator and printed that to use as my stencil. Unfortunately, my computer crashed since then and my stencils were lost. However, you could just as easily print the enlarged photo and use that as your stencil.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous and want to try your hand at making your own fondant, there is a GREAT two-part tutorial on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yj4KGtBaDg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHbpquC3IEA I’ve made this before and it’s TASTY and super-easy to make since you use a mixer!
Let us know how your cake turns out! Would love to see a pic!
on Dec 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hello!!!!! I am a 10 year experience baker. I have my owm business in Puerto Rico. I love this cake. I was googleling & decided to write “How to make an XBOX 360 game cake” & I saw your page. It is awsome. Send me your email so I can send you the one I will make of the Actual XBOX box & 1 controller. God Bless.
on Jan 8th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I am planning on making this cake for my husbands birthday, you did such and amazing job! I am new to decorative cakes and had a question. What size of cakes did you make? and how did you get the icing so smooth with the paper towel? THanks
on Jan 9th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I love both the OU cake and this Xbox one… my husband, who is turning 29 this month, could easily have Xbox & OU as middle names! Thanks for some kick *ss ideas! Keep up the awesome work!
on Jan 9th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Hi Ashlee! Thanks for the comment! I sent you an email to answer your questions in detail! Hope it helps! Let me know how your cake turns out!
on Jan 13th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Hi!
I too am going to make this cake this weekend and was wondering what size pans you used for the cake? It is an adorable cake! My husband will LOVE it!
on Jan 20th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
You did an amazing job! My son would love this and I really want to try it. I am also trying to figure out how you got your buttercream so smooth? Also, what did you use to get your colors (for buttons) so vibrant? Thanks so much!!
on Feb 15th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Hi, was wanting to try making this for my boyfriends birthday and was wondering how much of each ingredient you used? i dont want to use a sponge cake recipe and end up with it being too small to cut out a controller shape so i was wondering how big you made it? Thanks in advance x
on Feb 17th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Hi Abbi! I also wanted to know what size and how many cakes you made for this controller and how you managed to get the icing so smooth with a paper towel? Your cake looks amazing, and Im considering following your directions a 12 year olds birthday party. Thanks!
on Mar 1st, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Wow! This is wonderful! My husband is addicted to Xbox and has a birthday coming up. I would love to try to make this. However, I have lots of questions. What size of cakes did you make? Did you make the cakes from scratch or use a box mix? Where did you buy fondant from? Any extra details would be much appreciated!!!! Thanks so much!
on Mar 21st, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I would love to know what size pan you used,Ive used the viva trick.best ever,thanks
on May 28th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Hi! I love this because it is butter cream. I t looks awsome! I was needing to know how you made the joysticks and what size pan you used. I am goin to try to make this for my 14 yr old this weekend. Thank you so much.
on Jul 25th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Hi Abbi,
As of about 2 hours ago I decided to let my soon to be 15yr old son to have some friends over Friday night for his bday. He lives and breathes Xbox so of course I google cakes and I love how easy your cake looks!!
Few questions, ok maybe just one, but what size cake pan did you use?
Not sure if we are using fondant or not…thinking more along the lines of using candy in place of the fondant, but still not sure.
Thank you so much
Tracy
on Aug 23rd, 2010 at 11:17 pm
awesome cake!!! my boyfriends birthday is coming up and he would die for this cake..i just have a quick question, how do you make the buttercream gray?? do you just put food color in??