Mincemeat often requires an overnight soak in the alcohol, often brandy, to plump up the dried fruit. Some recipes require a cooking stage, to heat the mincemeat through and help to seal the jars.

Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts Go to Recipe What would the holidays be without mincemeat for dessert ... find they love these tender chocolate bars. —Darlene Berndt, South Bend, Indiana ...

Mincemeat is one of the best ways to preserve ... The tiny amount of sugar won’t have much effect on your recipe.