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Construction Birthday Cake

Construction Birthday Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • ½ cup hot brewed coffee
  • ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 3–4 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 12 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed into fine crumbs
  • Clean toy construction vehicles and chocolate rocks, for decoration

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round pans and line with parchment. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  3. Alternate adding dry ingredients with buttermilk and coffee, mixing on low. Stir in sour cream just until combined.
  4. Divide batter between pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  5. Beat butter for frosting until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa, then cream, vanilla, and salt. Whip 2 minutes until fluffy.
  6. Place one cake layer on a plate, spread frosting on top. Add second layer upside down. Frost top and sides. Crush cookies and scatter over the cake. Arrange toy trucks and chocolate rocks.

Notes

The toy vehicles are non-edible and should be removed before cutting. Frosting can be made a day ahead; store it covered in the refrigerator, then let it come to room temperature and rewhip before using.