🍪 Brown sugar glazed Christmas ham (easy holiday ham)
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 120 min · Makes: 12-16
A glazed ham is one of the most forgiving holiday mains there is. It's already cooked, so all you're really doing is warming it through gently and giving it a sticky, shiny coat that makes the whole house smell like Christmas.
This glaze balances brown sugar and honey with tangy orange and Dijon mustard, plus a little cinnamon and clove for warmth. It caramelizes beautifully in a hot oven at the very end.
Tips
- Cover it first, glaze it last. Foil keeps the ham juicy while it warms. The glaze goes on only at the end, or the sugar burns.
- Use a thermometer. A fully cooked ham only needs to reach 140°F (60°C). Going much higher dries it out.
- Line the pan with foil for easy cleanup. The glaze gets very sticky.
Side dish ideas
Green beans with toasted almonds, a big tray of roasted sweet potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes, warm dinner rolls and a crunchy winter salad all go well.
Let the kids help
Kids can measure the glaze ingredients, stir the pot with a grown-up, and make place cards for the table while the ham is in the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham (8 to 10 lb)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Method
- Take the ham out of the fridge about 1 hour before cooking. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place the ham cut side down in a roasting pan, add the water to the pan, and cover the ham tightly with foil so it doesn't dry out.
- Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes per pound (roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours) until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part, away from the bone, reads about 120°F (49°C).
- Meanwhile, make the glaze. Combine the brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, butter, cinnamon and cloves in a small saucepan. Simmer, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes until syrupy.
- Take the ham out and raise the oven to 400°F (205°C). Remove the foil and brush half the glaze all over the ham, letting it run between the slices.
- Return the ham to the oven uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, brushing with more glaze halfway, until glossy and caramelized and the thermometer reads 140°F (60°C).
- Let the ham rest for 15 minutes, then slice along the bone and serve with the pan juices and any leftover glaze.
Questions
How much ham do I need per person?
Plan on about 3/4 lb per person for a bone-in ham. That leaves a little for leftover sandwiches.
Can I make the glaze ahead?
Yes. Make it up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Warm it gently before brushing it on.
How long do ham leftovers keep?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. They keep 3 to 5 days in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer. Save the bone for bean or pea soup.