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Easy Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Easy Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
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Easy Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is a comforting and flavorful main dish featuring a perfect balance of sweet and savory elements. With a sticky, caramelized crust and simple preparation using pantry-friendly ingredients, this recipe is ideal for holidays, family dinners, or gatherings, delivering warmth and an impressive presentation with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham

  • 1 pre-cooked spiral-sliced or bone-in ham (around 6–8 pounds)

Brown Sugar Glaze

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or substitute yellow or whole-grain mustard)
  • 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice or orange juice

Optional Garnishes and Variations

  • Pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (for tropical presentation)
  • Cayenne or chili powder (to add a spicy kick)
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme (herb-infused glaze)
  • Monk fruit sweetener (for low-sugar version)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ham: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a roasting pan lined with foil for easy cleanup. If using a spiral-sliced ham, keep the slices intact to ensure neat serving.
  2. Make the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard (or substitute), honey or maple syrup, butter, ground cloves, and pineapple or orange juice. Stir until smooth and the sugar dissolves slightly.
  3. Score the Ham: Using a sharp knife, gently score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern to help the glaze penetrate and caramelize beautifully.
  4. Apply the First Glaze Layer: Brush half of the brown sugar glaze evenly over the ham, making sure to get into the scored cuts for maximum flavor.
  5. Bake and Glaze: Place the ham in the preheated oven uncovered and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, brushing the remaining glaze over the ham every 20-30 minutes to build a thick, sweet crust.
  6. Final Browning: In the last 10 minutes of baking, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) to finish with a beautiful glossy finish on the glaze. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and juicy meat.

Notes

  • Choose a spiral-cut pre-cooked ham for easy serving and time savings.
  • Do not skip scoring the ham; it enhances glaze absorption and flavor penetration.
  • Line your roasting pan with foil to simplify cleanup.
  • Baste frequently during baking to develop a thick, shiny, delicious crust.
  • Monitor the final browning stage closely to prevent burning the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ham, ham with brown sugar glaze, holiday ham, sweet and savory ham, glazed ham, easy baked ham

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/easy-baked-ham-with-brown-sugar-glaze/