Offset around text with existing distort applied

Hi.  I'm trying to recreate the K in the "I am kenough" graphic and can't figure out how to create the yellow offset around it.  I have used the distort and transform method to create the "drop shadow" on the K ( I know it's not what it's called but I don't know the correct term!).  But I now want to create an offset around the whole thing.  I've tried expanding the appearance and then using the shape builder tool but it is so many points it just crashes the program!!!

I feel like it's probably simple but I can't figure it out.  Help!