New Orleans Maple Pecan Pie

1 9-inch pie shell; unbaked
¼ cup unsalted butter or margarine; melted
1 cup dark brown sugar; firmly packed
1 cup dark amber maple syrup
3 each eggs, well beaten
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Pecan Valley Pecan Pieces

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF.
2. In a large mixing bowl cream butter or margarine and sugar. Add syrup, eggs, salt, and vanilla. Mix together and add pecans.
3. Bake in a preheated oven for 5 minutes at 450ºF.
4. Reduce heat to 350ºF and bake about 40 minutes until firm.