Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing your baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar and self-rising flour. Add the room temperature butter and use a fork to mash and mix it all together until crumbly. Then fold in the oats and chopped pecans to finish off the streusel. It should feel chunky but moist.
In another bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, sugar, and milk until mostly smooth. Add in banana extract if you’re using it, and then stir in the melted butter. This batter should be smooth but don’t overmix—it’s okay if it has a few small lumps.
Pour the batter into your greased baking dish, making sure it spreads evenly. Now, layer your banana slices right on top. I like to slightly overlap them for even coverage and extra banana in every bite. Ripe bananas that are slightly brown work best—they’re softer and sweeter.
Sprinkle the prepared streusel evenly over the banana layer, covering the entire surface. Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges. The smell alone will have you hovering near the oven.
Once baked, let the cobbler cool for at least 10 minutes so it sets a bit before serving. I love serving it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream on top. The warm-cold contrast is unbeatable!