Birthday Under Construction
Posted by journeytomom on February 27, 2007
My little boy (not a baby anymore, sniff) turned 4 this past weekend. He chose a construction theme for his little party and this is the cake I made for him. Now I didn’t think this up all by myself. Since I knew he wouldn’t eat the typical pudding recipe for dirt “cake,” I searched around for another idea. I found this idea on Kraftfoods.com (Construction Birthday Cake).
I used a boxed marble cake – Duncan Hines, I think – and baked in a 9×13 inch pan. Once it cooled enough to remove from the pan I cut about 2 inches from one end, shortening the cake. I then frosted the cake with cool-whip and dusted it with oreo crumbs. The portion I had cut off I shaped into some boulders (sprinkling more crumbs over that) and then added the backho and bulldozer, digging and buldozing bits of cake. He and his little friends loved it!
One issue with using cool whip is that the cake has to stay in the refridgerator until you are ready to display it. If it sits out too long, you’ll wind up with a cool puddle. 
I dare say if I, a non-baker, can do this, anyone can. It was pretty simple and fun to do.
cooknkate said
There are just so many neat ideas to be had for birthday cakes! Too bad my ‘baby’ is turning 13 and won’t require a really neat cake like that for his birthday. In fact, if I even suggest it I will get that mortified look that he has perfected so well!
Poor me! I remember when he was 4, it seemed like last week. Time goes so fast. Hang onto these years tight
Ann said
Yes! That’s a really neat cake & I think you do a great job of coming up with ideas for following up on themes for B’s parties. I don’t think I was ever that imaginative, however, it’s true it seems only a short time ago that G was 4. Also, I copied the cheese spread recipe, I’m going to try it. Sounds easier than the one I gave you. Love you, Ann