Pear Spice Muffins - Ellie Krieger

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup canola or other neutral-tasting oil, plus more for the pan
• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 3/4 cup date sugar or packed dark brown sugar (see note)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce (see footnote)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 medium firm, ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 -inch pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)