Prep equipment: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.
Mash bananas: In a medium bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth and slightly chunky. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, whisk together melted or softened butter and brown sugar until smooth.
Add remaining wet ingredients: Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Then, add milk and vanilla extract until combined. Add the now mashed bananas to the batter and fold to combine.
Stir in dry ingredients: Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt to batter and gently stir until just combined. Do not over mix, batter lumps are okay.
Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in pecans and chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (reserve 1/4 cup for topping) until just combined.
Bake: Pour batter into a prepared loaf tin and smooth the top. Top with extra banana slices and remaining chocolate. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Cool and slice: Allow banana bread to cool for 15-20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Slice and enjoy!