Construction Upsherin Cake: Party-Ready

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until uniform.
3. Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, and eggs to the dry ingredients; beat until smooth.
4. Stir in the hot coffee or boiling water until the batter is thin and velvety.
5. Divide batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
6. Level the cakes with a serrated knife. Layer the first cake, spread buttercream, and top with the second cake layer.
7. Apply a crumb coat of frosting and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
8. Apply the final layer of buttercream, leaving the surface slightly uneven to mimic rugged terrain.
9. Carve a small mound or hole into the side of the cake to create a dig site.
10. Fill the dig site and the top perimeter with crushed chocolate wafer cookies.
11. Position toy excavators into the crumbs and pipe caution stripes using orange-tinted frosting. Add a number candle to the center.