Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crust: cream 1 cup butter and 1/2 cup of sugar. Add in the 2-1/2 cups flour and mix well. Press dough by hand into greased 9x13 dish. Poke a few holes along the crust.
Filling Ingredients 3/4 cup brown sugar, 5 tablespoons butter, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 large eggs, beaten, and 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans.
Directions for Filling Place butter, corn syrup, salt, and brown sugar into a small pot. Turn heat on medium. Slowly bring to a boil (stirring to prevent burning). Let boil for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and vanilla extract. Let cool for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes mix in eggs. Pour onto crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes.