Birthday cakes for kids can be a lot of fun to make yourself and this construction birthday cake is super simple! Five years ago I was fortunate to learn the basics of cake decorating. Up until that point, all of my cakes were simple creations using a box mix and tub of frosting. To be honest, my kids always loved their cakes no matter how complex the design. And just because I can now decorate a cool Spiderman cake doesn’t mean I always have several hours to spend on a birthday cake. Whether you have never decorated a cake in you life or you just want something simple, this easy construction cake from Kari Stroschen is a perfect option! It works great for little boys (or girls) who love vehicles or even adults who work in construction.
Construction Birthday Cake Materials:
- 2 boxes of cake mix (and the ingredients to make the cake) OR use your favorite cake recipe
- 2 tubs of chocolate frosting (or your favorite recipe)
- cardboard base (I used a priority mail box from the post office that I cut)
- aluminum foil (to cover the base)
- masking tape (to secure foil)
- construction toy vehicles
, washed
- Pyrex or similar oven safe glass bowls: 3 cup/750 ml and 6 cup/1.5 L
How to Make a Construction Themed Cake:
Make one cake mix following the 9×13 pan directions on the box and follow the baking time on the box. Let cool completely.
Mix up another cake mix and separate into two greased pyrex glass bowls. Spread about 2/3 mix in the large bow and the remaining in the small bowl. Place both in the oven at the same time (temperature on the box, mine was 350) and bake the small bowl for 40 minutes and the large for 45 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick in the center. Remove from oven and cool completely. I usually make my cakes the day before.
Using a piece of sturdy cardboard (old box) cut to around 12″ x 16″ and cover with foil. Secure foil on the backside with masking tape.
To assemble the cake, I cut my 9x 13 cake in half so it was more manageable and easier to remove from the pan – and as shown it broke but was easy to piece back together. Place on foil.
Cut the bubble tops off of the round cakes to make them flat. Place large circle cake on the rectangle cake and the small cake directly on the foil. Add additional pieces of cake to create a ramp or mounds as you desire. I was worried my cake was beginning to look like the female bust line as I began to assemble it!
Spread frosting on the cake. I lifted up the larger circle cake to spread frosting under it to help hold it to the cake below it. When completely frosted, begin your carving.
Using a cake knife or something similar, scoop cake out of the large mound and place aside. Set vehicles onto your cake and sprinkle un-frosted crumbled cake on the cake and in the dump truck and scoop.
Construction Cake Toppers
You can have fun adding more props to your cake such as chocolate candy rocks
There are other options available on Amazon including this more affordable construction vehicles and these construction vehicles have more construction props for your cake, but please take a look at the warnings in the reviews for children who still put things in their mouth.
Construction Birthday Cake
Ingredients
- 2 boxes chocolate cake mixes, plus ingredients to make them (can be homemade if preferred)
- 2 tubs chocolate frosting (can be homemade if preferred)
- chocolate candies, sprinkles, crushed cookies, etc optional
Instructions
-
Make one cake mix following the 9x13 pan directions on the box and follow the baking time on the box. Let cool completely.
-
Mix up another cake mix and separate into two greased pyrex glass bowls. Spread about 2/3 mix in the large bowl and the remaining in the small bowl. Place both in the oven at the same time (temperature on the box, mine was 350) and bake the small bowl for 40 minutes and the large for 45 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick in the center. Remove from oven and cool completely.
-
Using a piece of sturdy cardboard (old box) cut to around 12" x 16" and cover with foil. Secure foil on the backside with masking tape.
-
To assemble the cake, I cut my 9x 13 cake in half so it was more manageable and easier to remove from the pan - and as shown it broke but was easy to piece back together. Place on foil.
-
Cut the bubble tops off of the round cakes to make them flat. Place large circle cake on the rectangle cake and the small cake directly on the foil. Add additional pieces of cake to create a ramp or mounds as you desire. I was worried my cake was beginning to look like the female bust line as I began to assemble it!
-
Spread frosting on the cake. I lifted up the larger circle cake to spread frosting under it to help hold it to the cake below it. When completely frosted, begin your carving.
-
Using a cake knife or something similar, scoop cake out of the large mound and place aside. Set vehicles onto your cake and sprinkle un-frosted crumbled cake on the cake and in the dump truck and scoop.
-
rumble cake in front of the bulldozer. Don't worry if you carve out too much, just add it back in!
shelly peterson says
What a super cute cake. My grandson would love this cake.
Sarah L says
My nephew is in love with all trucks and would love this cake.
ColleenMarie says
Super cute and easy. I have been wanting to do a construction theme for my son’s birthday, now just to convince him!
David Fultner says
At the age of 5 i loved dump trucks. Besides my cakes already look like this.
nicole dziedzic says
Wow this is so creative and pretty easy to do, looks amazing! My nephew loves his construction trucks too, this is perfect for him.
Karen Glatt says
This is such a fun birthday cake that I would like to make for my nephew! He likes dump trucks and seeing them on a cake would make him thrilled! I thank you for this recipe!
JR FrugalMom says
What a fantastic cake! I do the same thing with putting new toys on the cake, it makes for an easy cake topper without having to go spend a lot of money.
Pauline Molinari says
I adore this cake!! Thanks for sharing your crafty inspiration on this week’s Monday Funday Party!
Dandi D says
My son would really enjoy having this cake for his birthday.
Sarah L says
I like how this really looks like dirt.
Richard Hicks says
I love the theme. Perfect for any little boy!
Cami Valenzuela says
i made f these cakes for my 3 year old last year. he love anything tractors and loved the cake. it was really wasy to make and cheap.
Rosie says
oh wow this is the most darling cake ever! You know everyone will love this, esp for the one having a birthday!!!