Southern Pecan Pie

9-inch unbaked pie shell
1 cup pecans
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup melted butter (no substitutes)
3/4 cup light corn syrup (dark may be used)
1 cup brown sugar, or 7/8 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans over the bottom of the unbaked pie crust.  Beat eggs slightly.  Add melted butter, corn syrup, and sugar; blend well.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour egg mixture over pecans in pie shell.  Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until center of pie is set.  Cool before serving.  Serve garnished with slightly sweetened whipped cream.