Butter or margarine can be used instead, adding a couple of extra tablespoons per cup of shortening called for in a recipe.
Yes. If you are going to fry something with it. It should not be subsitiuted for "oil in a baking recipe however.
Yes, melted and cooled Crisco can be used in place of vegetable oil.
You can but you are going to have a slightly different texture.
Yes, solid Crisco can be used. Not Crisco oil.
that is stupid. No u can't ^^ actually YOU'RE stupid, yes you can.
For baking brownies, it is typically best to use a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or coconut oil. These oils will not overpower the chocolate flavor of the brownies and will help keep them moist.
Yes, you can use canola oil instead of vegetable oil when making brownies.
You can use butter instead, although you really won't get the same texture as you'd get using Crisco. Oil does not work in Irish Soda Bread. You could try searching for an Irish Soda Bread recipe that doesn't include Crisco.
no. the brownies would not taste right if you did.
Yes. it matters. The brownies would taste awful and not cook correctly.
Absolutely. Shortening will actually give the brownies a slightly fluffier texture than oil, which actually makes them somewhat dense and gummy. Crisco brand vegetable shortening, a hydrogenated oil, is less healthy for you than oil as it is a solidified transfat (oils synthetically processed to mimic saturated fats). Lard and butter as well, though natural saturated fats (shortenings), are less healthy than oils as well.
Oil helps baking be moist. If the oil is left out, the baking can be extremely dry. Bakers can substitute many forms of oil including butter and shortening.