Remove from heat. It is very important that you let this mixture cool.

Add eggs, vanilla and salt to the cooled mixture. Stir well.

Fill pie crust with mixture and top with pecan halves.

Start in the very center of the pie and hand place each pecan starting with a large pecan half in the middle. Place the pecan halves to form rings or circles of connecting pecan halves. Continue making additional rings of pecan halves until you have covered the pie. This takes extra time, but makes this pecan pie a classic.