Description
This Brown Sugar Ham is a classic holiday centerpiece featuring a tender, juicy ham coated in a rich brown sugar and honey glaze. It caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a sweet, sticky crust that pairs perfectly with the smoky, savory ham — a true crowd-pleaser for any festive table.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 8–10 lbs)
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup orange juice (or apple juice)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Whole cloves (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and position rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Line a roasting pan with foil and place a roasting rack inside. Set the ham on the rack, fat side up.
- Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife, about 1/4 inch deep. (Optional: stud with whole cloves where the lines cross.)
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat.
- Brush half of the glaze evenly over the ham.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours (about 15 minutes per pound if smaller), basting with glaze every 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and brush with the remaining glaze. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, until the glaze caramelizes and the ham is glossy.
- Rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of bourbon or maple syrup to the glaze.
- Leftover ham is perfect for sandwiches, omelets, or soups.
- If using a spiral-cut ham, reduce baking time by 20–30 minutes to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hrs
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American