How can I recreate this logo and not have it look layered?

[Jlily98]

Trying to recreate this logo for personal use only. You can see that the lettering is all one piece in the original logo but when I recreate it you can see it is 3 layers. It's probably a simple fix but my brain is mush... help

Logo I am trying to recreateCorners are not connectedCorners are connected

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

I just used 2 lwtters of this. You have to make the thing a compound path. Then you use 

Window > Appearance

Effect > Distort & transform > Transform

Effect > Pathfinder > Add

Effect > Path > Offset path

https://youtu.be/NOZmESA5Vvc