Classic Glazed Ham: A Juicy, Sweet, and Irresistible Holiday Centerpiece 🍖🍍✨
1. Introduction
Nothing says celebration like a perfectly prepared Classic Glazed Ham. This timeless dish has been a holiday favorite for generations, featuring succulent ham coated in a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special family gathering, this Classic Glazed Ham recipe guarantees a show-stopping main course that will have everyone coming back for seconds – and maybe even thirds!
If you’re looking for more delicious dinner ideas to complement your holiday spread, we’ve got plenty of options to inspire you.
Making a Classic Glazed Ham at home is much easier than most people think! With just a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create a masterpiece that’s both tender and packed with flavor. The secret lies in the perfect balance of sweet and savory elements in the glaze, combined with slow roasting to ensure maximum juiciness. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to achieve restaurant-quality results that will impress even your most discerning guests.
2. Ingredients
To make the absolute best Classic Glazed Ham, you’ll need the following high-quality ingredients:
1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham (preferably spiral-cut for easier serving)
1 cup packed dark brown sugar (for richer flavor)
½ cup pure honey (local if possible for best taste)
¼ cup Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard for texture)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps balance the sweetness)
1 tsp ground cloves (for warm spice notes)
1 tsp cinnamon (adds depth to the glaze)
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg (for aromatic complexity)
Pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (optional, for traditional garnish)
Whole cloves (for studding the ham before baking)
For those who love experimenting with flavors, you might enjoy our Coconut Lime Salmon Curry as another impressive main dish option.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) – this lower temperature helps prevent drying out the ham. Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a clean cutting board. If your ham comes with a thick layer of fat (which many do), you can carefully trim it down to about ¼ inch thickness. This allows for better glaze absorption while still keeping the meat moist during cooking. Don’t remove all the fat – it’s essential for flavor and moisture!
Step 2: Score and Stud the Ham
Using a sharp chef’s knife, score the ham in a diamond pattern, making shallow cuts about ½ inch apart and ¼ inch deep. This creates more surface area for the glaze to adhere to and allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat. For extra flavor, insert whole cloves into the intersections of the cuts – they’ll infuse the ham with warm, aromatic notes as it bakes. If you’re not a fan of biting into whole cloves, you can remove them before serving.
This technique is similar to what we use in our Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken, where we create pockets for flavors to penetrate.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and all the sugar has dissolved completely. Be careful not to let it boil vigorously – you want a smooth, syrupy consistency that will brush on easily. The vinegar might seem unusual, but it’s crucial for cutting through the sweetness and creating a more complex flavor profile.
Place the prepared ham in a roasting pan, cut side down (this helps retain moisture). Using a pastry brush, generously apply about half of the warm glaze over the entire surface of the ham, making sure to get it into all the scored areas. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil – this creates a steamy environment that keeps the meat juicy while preventing the glaze from burning. Bake for 1½ hours, then carefully remove the foil. Brush with the remaining glaze (you might want to warm it slightly if it’s thickened too much) and return to the oven, uncovered, for another 30 minutes. This final uncovered baking time allows the glaze to caramelize into that beautiful, sticky-sweet crust we all love.
After removing the ham from the oven, let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing – this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. For a beautiful presentation, garnish with pineapple rings secured with maraschino cherries (use toothpicks if needed). The acidity from the pineapple complements the rich ham perfectly. Serve with classic holiday sides like:
Q: Can I use a spiral-cut ham for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! A spiral-cut ham actually works wonderfully because all those slices mean more surface area for the glaze to adhere to. Just reduce the baking time by about 30 minutes total to prevent drying out.
Q: How do I prevent the glaze from burning?
A: The foil covering during the first part of baking is crucial. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate (use an oven thermometer if unsure). If you notice the glaze darkening too quickly, you can tent the ham with foil again during the final baking stage.
Q: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
A: Yes! The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave before using, adding a teaspoon of water if it’s too thick.
Q: What’s the best way to carve the ham?
A: For bone-in hams, start by cutting around the bone to release large sections, then slice against the grain. For spiral-cut hams, simply follow the natural slices.
8. Why This Recipe Works
This Classic Glazed Ham recipe succeeds because of several key factors:
The combination of brown sugar and honey creates depth of sweetness
Dijon mustard adds tanginess that balances the sugar
Spices like cloves and cinnamon provide warm, aromatic notes
Slow baking at lower temperature ensures juicy meat
Two-stage glazing (covered then uncovered) creates perfect caramelization
With its irresistible glaze and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this Classic Glazed Ham is sure to become a treasured family tradition. The beauty of this recipe lies in its perfect balance – sweet but not cloying, flavorful but not overwhelming, impressive yet surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether you’re hosting an elaborate holiday feast or an intimate Sunday dinner, this dish delivers both comfort and elegance in every juicy bite.
For additional holiday meal inspiration, check out this Classic Glazed Ham recipe from Food Network.
Try it today and watch as this beautiful centerpiece disappears from the table, leaving behind only happy smiles and requests for the recipe! The leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) make incredible sandwiches, soups, and breakfast dishes throughout the week. Happy cooking, and may your holidays be filled with delicious memories! 🎉🍽️
Classic Glazed Ham: A Juicy, Sweet, and Irresistible Holiday Centerpiece! This timeless dish is a holiday favorite, featuring succulent ham coated in a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any special gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
Pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Trim ham fat to ¼ inch if needed.
Score the ham in a diamond pattern and insert cloves at intersections.
Simmer brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, and spices for 5 minutes to make glaze.
Brush half the glaze over ham, cover with foil, and bake for 1½ hours.
Uncover, brush with remaining glaze, and bake 30 more minutes until caramelized.
Rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with pineapple and cherries if desired.
Notes
Spiral-cut ham works but reduce baking time slightly.
Cover with foil initially to prevent glaze from burning.
Glaze can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated.
Leftovers keep 5 days refrigerated or 2 months frozen.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:2 hours
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 slice (4oz)
Calories:320 Kcal
Sugar:18g
Sodium:1200mg
Fat:12g
Saturated Fat:4g
Unsaturated Fat:6g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:22g
Fiber:0g
Protein:28g
Cholesterol:80mg
Keywords: Classic Glazed Ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham with glaze, Easter ham, Christmas ham, honey glazed ham, brown sugar ham
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Hi There, I’m Isabella Grace
Welcome to RecipesForToday.com, a place where food meets real life — one simple, soulful recipe at a time.
