Delicious Honey Glazed Ham
This recipe guides you through making a perfect honey-glazed ham, featuring a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully. It's ideal for special occasions or a festive family meal.
Equipment
- Roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
Ham
- 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked bone-in or boneless ham
Honey Glaze
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Whole cloves optional, for studding
Instructions
Prep the Ham
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat the ham dry and place it in a large roasting pan. Score the fat in a diamond pattern if using bone-in ham and add whole cloves if desired.
Initial Bake
- Cover the ham with foil and bake for 10-12 minutes per pound for bone-in ham, or 8-10 minutes per pound for boneless ham, until the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C).
Prepare the Glaze
- While the ham bakes, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and ground cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk and simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Glaze Application
- Once the ham reaches 130°F, remove it from the oven, remove the foil, and increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
Baste and Caramelize
- Brush a generous amount of glaze over the ham and return it to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 15-20 minutes, basting every 5-7 minutes, until golden-brown and the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
Rest and Serve
- Remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing to ensure tenderness.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a few bay leaves to the roasting pan during the initial bake. Make sure to choose a high-quality fully cooked ham for the best results. The resting period is crucial for a juicy ham, so don't skip it!