1 box mincemeat
1 c. water
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. dark Karo syrup
1 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. pear preserves (optional)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 slices stale bread, crumbled fine

Dissolve mincemeat in water over low heat. Add sugar, syrup, preserves, pecans and bread. Cook until thick (about 15 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add nutmeg, butter and vanilla. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Cover with top crust and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Makes 1 very large pie or 2 small ones.

This is an old family recipe and is not like traditional mincemeat pies.