Spiced Pear Cake With Browned Butter Icing

Ingredients

• 3 medium to large firm pears, peeled-cored- and chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups gold medal all-purpose flour
• 1 cup gold medal whole wheat flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar (more or less)
• 4 to 5 teaspoons boiling hot water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract