1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; mix into creamed mixture. Fold in pecans.
Spread evenly between two greased 9-inch-square baking pans. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely.
In a small bowl, mix pecans. Using a wooden spoon, spread pecans over filling, causing a layer to be ~3/4 of the size of the pan.