Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and/or line with parchment paper.
Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream together using a hand mixer (a stand mixer works, too).
Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Add the bananas (no need to mash first) and beat those in, too.
Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt with a spatula. Then, stir in ½ cup of the pecans. Do not use a mixer for this step—it will make the loaf tough.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the remaining ¼ cup pecans.
Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove from the pan and let cool fully.
Slice and serve.
Notes
Make sure your bananas are yellow with lots of brown spots on them. For the best banana flavor, you do not want any sort of green on the bananas. Don't have toasted pecans? Toast them on a sheet pan in a 350°F oven for 7–8 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Speed ripening of the bananas by placing them in a paper bag, along with an apple, for several days at room temperature.You can replace the pecans with walnuts or chocolate chips, if you'd like.The loaf can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Make sure it's tightly covered. It can also be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, then placed in a resealable freezer bag. It'll be good in the freezer for about 3 months.