Cake Recipe Help?

Ok, here is a recipe I found on the internet:





MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE





2 c. sugar


2 c. flour


1 tsp. baking powder


2 tsp. soda


Dash salt


1/2 c. cocoa


1/2 c. salad oil


1 c. boiling water


2 eggs


1 c. milk


1 tsp. vanilla





Is there something that should be changed in here to make it better - I am sick of trial and error hehe. Now I have a few questions. When it says soda, that means baking soda, right? and salad oil, does vegetable oil work?





- Thanks -Cake Recipe Help?
soda means bicarbonate of soda. A light vegetable oil should be fine for 'salad oil'; canola, sunflower, safflower would all be fine. TIP: To avoid problems do make sure you know what nationality the recipe is from, as cup and spoon measures are different in different countries.Cake Recipe Help?
yes, soda is baking soda:) and you can usually replace shortening with vegetable oil (which is salad oil) .... I usually substitute the milk (or part of it) with sour cream to make a moister cake. And, BEAT the batter at least 3 min (closer to 5 min is better) on a stand mixer. It needs that long to get all the air incorporated into the batter, and you'll really notice a difference in the way the batter looks after 3 min.....