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Oh, the holidays! There’s just something magical about a table groaning under the weight of festive dishes, and right at the center of it all, there’s often THE star – a beautiful, shiny glazed ham. For me, it all goes back to my Grandma’s kitchen in Ohio. She taught me that cooking for people, especially during the holidays, is one of the biggest ways we show love. I’m Carla Davis, and I’ve taken that lesson and my love for delicious, fuss-free food and poured it into recipes like this one. This glazed ham recipe promises a show-stopping centerpiece that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, perfect for making your holiday feasting truly memorable without all the stress.
- Why You'll Love This Holiday Glazed Ham
- Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Glazed Ham
- Crafting Your Festive Glazed Ham: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Tips for the Ultimate Glazed Ham
- Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Ham
- Frequently Asked Questions About Glazed Ham
- Nutritional Information
- Share Your Festive Feast!
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Glazed Ham
This isn’t just any ham recipe; it’s a holiday game-changer! Here’s why you’ll adore making it:
- Super Easy Prep: Seriously, you just mix a few things and brush it on! No fancy skills needed.
- Irresistible Flavor: The sweet, savory glaze caramelizes beautifully, making every bite incredibly delicious.
- Stunning Presentation: That glossy finish and festive aroma? It’s pure holiday magic on a plate.
- Perfect for Any Holiday: Christmas, Easter, Sunday dinner – this ham fits right in and makes the meal special.
- Stress-Free Centerpiece: Since the ham is already cooked, your main job is just to make it shine!
Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Glazed Ham
Alright, let’s get our game faces on for this amazing ham! Having the right ingredients is half the battle, and trust me, this list is super straightforward. You’ll want to have these handy before you even think about turning on the oven:
- 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked spiral-cut ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (don’t skimp on packing it in there!)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (adds a lovely subtle sweetness)
- 1/4 cup honey (for that extra sticky gloss!)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (just a little tang to balance things out)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (this spice is key for that warm holiday hug)
Crafting Your Festive Glazed Ham: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, friend, get ready to make some magic happen! This is where our beautiful glazed ham really starts to come to life. Don’t worry, it’s super simple, and I’ll walk you through every step like we’re in my kitchen together. It’s all about getting that gorgeous, sticky-sweet coating onto our ham so it’s perfect for your big holiday meal!
Preparing the Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
First things first, let’s whip up that incredible glaze. Grab a small saucepan – nothing fancy needed here. Toss in your packed brown sugar, the pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and that little pinch of ground cloves. Give it a good stir over medium heat. You just want to melt everything together until it’s nice and smooth. My grandma always said this part smelled like a hint of Christmas already!
Glazing and Baking Your Holiday Ham
Now for the fun part! Crank your oven up to 325°F (160°C). Get your roasting pan ready with a rack, and place your ham cut-side down on it. Now, take about half of that gorgeous glaze you just made and brush it all over the ham. Get into all those nooks and crannies! Pop it in the oven for about an hour. For the next part, you’ll want to brush on the remaining glaze every 20 minutes or so. This is what builds up that beautiful, sticky, caramelized layer we’re after. If you want an extra deep, glossy finish – like that picture-perfect holiday ham – sneak it under a higher heat (375°F or 190°C) for the last 15-20 minutes. Just keep a super close eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
Resting and Serving the Baked Ham
Once your masterpiece is out of the oven, resist the urge to slice into it right away! This baked ham recipe needs a little quiet time. Let it rest for about 15 minutes. This lets all those juicy flavors settle back into the meat, making it even more tender. Then, carve it up and serve! You can find some amazing side dish ideas on my site to complete your feast.
Tips for the Ultimate Glazed Ham
Alright, let’s talk about making this glazed ham absolutely perfect. It’s already pretty foolproof, but here are a few of my little secrets to make sure yours is a showstopper every single time. Think of these as little whispers from my kitchen to yours! If you want to hear more about my cooking philosophy and where these tips come from, you can always check out my about page!
First off, when you’re picking out your ham, a spiral-cut one is your best friend. It’s already done all the hard work for you, and the glaze gets into all those lovely slices. For keeping it moist? The pineapple juice and honey glaze is already a champion at this! Just make sure you don’t overcook it – that’s the biggest mistake people make. And if your glaze seems a *tad* thin when you mix it up, don’t fret! It’ll thicken up as it cooks on the ham. My grandma always said to trust the process, and that’s so true here. A little patience goes a long way for that perfect, glossy exterior.
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Ham
So you’ve got this amazing glazed ham ready to go, but what else does it need? A fantastic holiday meal is all about balance! That sweet, sticky ham is the star, especially for your Christmas dinner main, but it sings even louder with the right supporting cast. Since I’m all about making your whole meal shine, head over to my side dishes page for tons of inspiration. Think creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a little crunch, or a bright, fresh salad to cut through all that richness. Mac and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Glazed Ham
Got questions about making your holiday masterpiece? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to have a few little things on your mind when you’re crafting that perfect centerpiece. Let’s make sure your glazed ham turns out just right!
How do I prevent my ham from drying out?
This is the million-dollar question, right? Since we’re using an already cooked ham, the goal is just to warm it through and get that gorgeous glaze on. The pineapple juice and honey in our glaze already do a fantastic job of keeping it moist. The trick is not to overcook it! Watch the timing closely, and let it rest afterwards. That’s why this baked ham recipe is so forgiving – it focuses on delicious glazing rather than long cooking times.
What is the best temperature to bake a spiral ham?
For our spiral-cut ham, we start nice and gentle at 325°F (160°C). This lets the ham warm up evenly without drying out. If you want that extra-caramelized finish, you can crank it up to 375°F (190°C) for the last 20 minutes or so. Just keep a close eye on it then, because sugars can go from perfect to burnt pretty fast!
Can I make the brown sugar ham glaze ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can totally make your brown sugar ham glaze a day or two in advance. Just mix up all the glaze ingredients in a saucepan, gently heat it until smooth, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Give it a good stir and a quick warm-up before you’re ready to spread it on your ham. Easy peasy!
How do I stud my ham with cloves?
Want to get that classic diamond pattern? It’s super simple! After you’ve brushed on the first layer of glaze, just gently press whole cloves into the ham. Arranging them in diamond shapes looks extra festive. Then, keep glazing as usual. It adds a beautiful touch and a little boost of holiday spice!
Nutritional Information
Just a friendly heads-up: the nutritional info below is an estimate, as things can vary a bit depending on the exact brand of ham and ingredients you use. Since this recipe is all about making that delicious glaze shine, the numbers really focus on the ham itself plus that sweet coating!
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Share Your Festive Feast!
I just *love* seeing your beautiful holiday creations! Did you make this amazing glazed ham for your family? I’d be thrilled if you left a comment below telling me how it turned out, or even left a star rating! And hey, if you snapped a pic, feel free to share it on social media – tag me so I can see your stunning centerpiece! You can also always reach out via my contact page if you have any questions.
PrintHoliday Glazed Ham
A festive and flavorful glazed ham recipe perfect for your Christmas or Easter feast, creating a beautiful centerpiece with a glossy, caramelized finish.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 min
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked spiral-cut ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the ham cut-side down on a rack in a roasting pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
- Brush about half of the glaze over the ham.
- Bake for 1 hour, brushing with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
- If you desire a more deeply caramelized glaze, you can increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the last 15-20 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For an extra festive look, you can stud the ham with whole cloves in a diamond pattern before glazing.
- This recipe is designed to reheat a pre-cooked ham, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful.
- Consider serving with a side of pineapple rings or maraschino cherries during the last 30 minutes of baking for added color and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg