For a chocolate cake mix, what can I use to replace vegetable oil?

Question

I'm making a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for my girlfriend. My dad has my car for the day and there's no one around who can give me a ride to the nearest store, and the recipe calls for a cup of vegetable oil, which I don't have. Is there anything I can use as a substitution?

If it's helpful, I'm actually using two boxes of the cake mix to make two large 9x13 pans for a big double layer cake. Each one calls for 1/2 a cup of oil, so I'm of course using a full cup instead.

Thanks!

Answer 1

In baking recipes I always substitute applesauce for vegetable oil. If you have any on hand, use it (same amounts as oil in recipe)...it should turn out perfectly.

Answer 2

butter or margin

Answer 3

You can use the butter.  If the cake calls for salt, then omit the salt.  If not add a pinch of extra sugar to counter the salt from the butter.

There is shortening, milk.  Sometimes I sub plain water.  Though milk and water will change the taste/ texture.

Answer 4

Do you have any olive oil?  Try combining 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup softened butter.  Or sour cream if you have it.  And, for the liquid, use strong hot coffee.

Answer 5

you can us margarine in place of it.  soften it before adding it to the cake mix.  In fact, I mix all my wet ingredents first then add the cake mix.  

Why do you need to make 2 cakes.. Make one, freeze it, then cut it in half with a thread or a bread knife.  very simple to do.  

Answer 6

Applesauce is usually the best best.  Don't use olive oil, it will overpower your cake.  If you have butter you can use that just soften it first, and use less salt.  If you have vegetable shortening on hand you can use that.