Portal Cake by arbitrarylogic
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Portal Cake Recipe
Contrary to popular opinion, the cake is not a lie. At least, not this one.

Because I lived in a dorm section affectionately referred to as "the gamers' suite", I inevitably hear of every new major game release, and bear witness to the excitement that follows shortly after completion of said games.

This time was no exception, with the release of The Orange Box from Valve, or specifically, the game Portal. After hearing the "Still Alive" endgame track more times than I care to recall, and having everyone go into hysterical fits of giggling at the mention of the word cake...

I finally gave in to the inanity (and no, that's not a typo).

My suitemates were ecstatic and gleefully obliged me, providing several in-game reference photos of aforementioned cake. This image is probably the best one, alongside someone else's early attempt to re-create the cake from the recipe mentioned in the game itself (I have no idea where it can be found, as I've never played Portal before). However, since some elements in the recipe seem less than savory (I mean, fish shaped ethyl benzene?) I decided to do my own thing; start from the reference and build up from there.

It's an experiment in the truest sense, really. I haven't done this before, so what you'll see is what I'll get as I tinker around.

That being said, feel free to join me as I attempt to bring this unusual culinary project to completion.

NOTE: The Weighted Companion Cube is NOT my creation, but the papercraft artist and the build plans for him can be found here: Companion Cube Papercraft
 
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Step 1: The Conceptual Blueprint

Believe it or not, there's a method behind the madness of all this.

  • When attempting to pull of a re-creation of something, looks are everything, if not a major part of the appeal. As obvious as it seems, this means that the inside of the cake, if you're willing to disregard the in-game recipe, can be anything you want, as long as it has the correct shape and has a dry, solid surface. You could take cardboard, frost the panels, and top it with red ping-pong balls and balsa wood chips if you were determined.
  • Basically, the type of cake base used can be anything your little heart desires, whether it be chocolate, devil's food, yellow cake, or even red velvet.

Well, almost anything - I wouldn't recommend trying it with spongecake or angel food due to the delicate structure of the crumb. Just as long as it can hold itself up in layers and can take frosting on the surface without much damage.

  • The same principle applies when deciding what to put between the layers. It's recommended that you put something there, since it'll help the layers stay together and make the overall cake more stable.

It can be as simple as frosting-in-a-can or whipped cream, or as complex as chopped fruit and melted chocolate. Nothing too wet, though, you want the layers moist, but not soggy.

Now, even though you can't take as many liberties with the exterior, the ingredients aren't set in stone for it either. Based on the reference photos, these main things make this cake recognizable (at least, to people who have played the game before):

  • a rough-looking, brown exterior
  • eight (8) cherry red decorations set in a ring of white frosting
  • said decorations evenly arranged in a circle on top
  • a thin white candle (optional) set in the center

The possibilities for replicating these components of the appearance are entirely up to you. See what works or is most readily available to you.
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bettinasusca says: Feb 25, 2012. 12:52 AM
I used part of your recipe and made this for my friend's birthday! ^_^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/firefly21angel/6927837577/
02.24.12.jpg
kmoore16 says: Oct 11, 2011. 1:22 PM
So if i want to make a full version of this, i just need more cake mix, and 2 more 8" round pans.
builderkidj says: Sep 29, 2011. 10:42 PM
I'm asking my mom to make me this for my birthday!
markboucherr says: Sep 18, 2011. 8:02 AM
awesome working. ;)
markboucherr says: Sep 18, 2011. 8:01 AM
This is perfect working. ;)
markboucherr says: Sep 18, 2011. 8:00 AM
awesome working. This is perfect work. ;)
markboucherr says: Sep 18, 2011. 7:59 AM
yes this is perfect work. ;)
ilpug says: Sep 15, 2011. 5:26 PM
It was only a matter of time...
pyro1234567890 says: Sep 15, 2011. 4:36 PM
Wow just a few days after I submit mine.
mackbuck says: Sep 15, 2011. 5:54 AM
Cool idea. Wonder when someone's gonna make a Tardis cake, would look awesome.:))
jamesjamesjames says: Sep 4, 2011. 10:48 AM
A Portal cake i made for a friends birthday =)
40963_10150231553705573_548870572_14159334_1452455_n.jpg
Fashim says: Jun 2, 2010. 4:04 AM
 This was a Triumph.
SoshiKagami says: Aug 2, 2010. 10:50 PM
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS
dombeef says: Aug 20, 2010. 3:02 PM
Its hard to overstate my satisfaction, Aperture Science
Aperture says: May 6, 2011. 9:58 AM
what is it
Sonicx00222 says: Aug 24, 2010. 8:25 PM
Ok I think you're overdoing it a little bit there bud.
dombeef says: Aug 29, 2010. 2:01 PM
Have you seen the ending credits? and the song?
Sonicx00222 says: Nov 19, 2010. 5:14 PM
Yeah beat the game months ago.
Fashim says: Sep 8, 2010. 6:52 AM
2 Last comments killed it.. :(
dombeef says: Sep 8, 2010. 3:06 PM
Yeah, want to start over?
This was a triumph.
Fashim says: Sep 9, 2010. 12:13 AM
I'm making a note here.
dombeef says: Sep 9, 2010. 12:58 PM
Huge success
fantomzed says: Sep 16, 2010. 3:14 PM
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction .
dombeef says: Sep 16, 2010. 5:39 PM
Apurature Science "insert catchy jingle"
itzepiic says: Sep 20, 2010. 5:00 AM
We do what we want....because we can.
dombeef says: Sep 20, 2010. 11:48 AM
We do what we must, because we can.(You are wrong)
itzepiic says: Sep 23, 2010. 5:47 AM
For the good of all of us.
Except the ones who are dead.

(Sorry, I always thought thats what it said)
dombeef says: Sep 23, 2010. 12:18 PM
But there's no sense crying over every mistake
fantomzed says: Sep 23, 2010. 1:35 PM
you just keep on trying 'till you run out of cake
dombeef says: Sep 23, 2010. 4:43 PM
And the science gets done and you make a neat gun
For the people that are still alive
itzepiic says: Sep 23, 2010. 6:50 PM
I'm not even angry. I'm being so sincere right now. Even though you broke my heart. And killed me (waits for someone to ruin this with another dumb question)
Fashim says: Sep 24, 2010. 4:57 PM
And tore me to pieces.(Indeed.)
dombeef says: Sep 24, 2010. 7:14 PM
And threw every pieces into a fire(Yes)
itzepiic says: Sep 27, 2010. 5:26 AM
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!
xx-freakout-xx says: Oct 8, 2010. 1:37 PM
Now these points of data make a beautiful line.
And we're out of beta.
We're releasing on time.
So I'm GLaD. I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
for the people who are still alive.
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you'll find someone else to help you.
Maybe Black Mesa
THAT WAS A JOKE.
HAHA. FAT CHANCE.
Anyway, this cake is great.
It's so delicious and moist.
Look at me still talking
when there's Science to do.
When I look out there, it makes me GLaD I'm not you.
I've experiments to run.
There is research to be done.
On the people who are still alive.
And believe me I am still alive.
I'm doing Science and I'm still alive.
I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive.
While you're dying I'll be still alive.
And when you're dead I will be still alive.
STILL ALIVE (x2)
(i'm sorry the song died a well ago so i bumed it with the last part of the song)
itzepiic says: Oct 9, 2010. 9:47 AM
Thats okay...

At least it wasn't ruined again
Fashim says: Oct 11, 2010. 1:10 AM
Combo Breaker.,.
JHK says: Apr 28, 2011. 7:17 PM
this cake is probably the only one that doesn't loook lik someon vomitted on it
JHK says: Apr 28, 2011. 7:16 PM
SPOILER ALERT!!
actually the companion cube didn't die. at the end of portal 2 when GLaDOS lets you escape, a companion cube pops through and the companion cube has burned marks and is the same design of the companion cube from the first game (meaning no blue and yellow light on it) so the cube is still alive and GLaDOS gave it back to you.
knexwalrus says: Feb 13, 2011. 2:58 PM
it is missing the RUBARB!
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