Maple pear upside-down cake

3 T. oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar
4 pears, peeled and sliced
8 T. applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
 2 eggs
1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour mix
1 1.2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup almond milk

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small pot over medium heat, Add the oil, maple syrup, and brown sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Pour cooled mixture into a 9-inch pan and arrange pear slices in an overlapping circle on top. In a mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well. Add the eggs while mixing until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Then the milk, mixing until a smooth batter forms. Pour it on top of the pears. Bake 50 minutes until top is golden brown. Let cake cool. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and flip the cake onto a plate.