Baked Ham is a classic centerpiece for holiday feasts and special gatherings, offering tender, juicy meat glazed with a delicious sweet and savory coating. The rich, smoky flavor of the ham is beautifully complemented by a glaze made from ingredients like honey, brown sugar, mustard, or even pineapple, creating a perfect balance of flavors with every bite. Whether you’re preparing it for Easter, Christmas, or a family celebration, baked ham is easy to make and serves a crowd, while leftovers are just as delightful for sandwiches or breakfasts.
Ingredients:
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 8-10 pounds)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Whole cloves (optional for studding the ham)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and place a roasting rack inside the pan.
- Prepare the ham: Place the ham, cut-side down, on the rack in the roasting pan. If you like, score the surface of the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern, and optionally stud the ham with whole cloves at the intersections of the cuts for extra flavor.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar (or pineapple juice), ground cloves, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Bake the ham: Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), basting with some of the glaze halfway through.
- Glaze the ham: During the last 30 minutes of baking, remove the foil and generously brush the ham with the prepared glaze. Return to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking, basting the ham with more glaze every 10 minutes to create a glossy, caramelized crust.
- Rest and serve: Once the ham is fully heated through and glazed, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
This Baked Ham, with its beautifully caramelized glaze and tender, juicy interior, is sure to impress at any holiday table. It’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and makes for excellent leftovers!
