This Contest-Winning Holiday Glazed Ham is a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for any festive gathering. The sweet and savory glaze, made with brown sugar, honey, mustard, and a touch of cloves, adds a delicious caramelized coating that enhances the natural flavors of the ham. Baked to juicy perfection, the ham is tender on the inside with a sticky, flavorful crust on the outside. Whether served for Christmas, Easter, or a special family dinner, this ham is guaranteed to impress and become a holiday tradition.
Ingredients:
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (8-10 lbs)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Whole cloves (optional for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare the ham: Place the ham on a rack in a large roasting pan. Score the surface of the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. If desired, insert whole cloves into the intersections of the cuts for extra flavor and a decorative look.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Bake the ham: Brush the ham generously with the prepared glaze, making sure to cover all sides. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes.
- Finish the glaze: During the last 30 minutes of baking, remove the foil to allow the glaze to caramelize and the ham to brown.
- Serve: Once the ham is fully heated through and the glaze is golden and sticky, remove from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
This Contest-Winning Holiday Glazed Ham will be the star of your holiday table, leaving your guests wanting more with every bite!
