Is a compound containing carbons, hydrogens, and hydroxyl groups (oh) that serves as the "backbone" for various lipids?

Answer is: glycerol.
Glycerol (1,2,3-Propanetriol, glycerine or glycerin) is a simple polyol compound with formula (OH-CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂OH or C₃H₈O₃). The glycerine backbone is found in all lipids known as triglycerides (ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids). Glycerol is soluble in water hygroscopic.