2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
3 Bosc pears, peeled, halved, cored, and cut into 18 wedges
1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 cup whole-wheat flour, spooned and leveled
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup reduced-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup walnut oil
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce