Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

Pour ¼ cup of melted butter into the bottom of the pan and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over it.

Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the brown sugar mixture. Set aside while you make the batter.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and eggs until well combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; do not overmix.

Carefully pour the cake batter over the pecan topping in the pan and smooth out the top.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate while still warm so the pecan topping ends up on top.