Print

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 63 reviews

This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe delivers a tender, flavorful spiral-cut ham coated with a luscious brown sugar and honey glaze, enhanced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices. Slow-baked and finished with a caramelized glaze, it’s an impressive centerpiece perfect for holiday feasts or special occasions.

Ingredients

Ham and Garnish

  • 8 lb bone-in spiral cut ham
  • Cooking spray
  • Cranberries and herbs for garnish (optional)

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider (juice, not vinegar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly coat a baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Make the Glaze: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until the glaze thickens and becomes syrupy.
  3. Glaze the Ham: Place the spiral-cut ham in the prepared baking pan. Pour half of the warm glaze over the ham, ensuring it is evenly coated. Cover the ham tightly with foil to keep it moist during baking. Reserve the remaining glaze for later.
  4. Bake Covered: Bake the ham covered at 325°F for approximately 2 1/2 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse and the ham to heat through thoroughly.
  5. Glaze and Uncover: Remove the foil from the ham. If the reserved glaze has thickened or hardened, gently warm it in the microwave in 30-second increments until pourable. Pour the remaining glaze over the uncovered ham, coating it well.
  6. Caramelize the Glaze: Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C). Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and nicely browned.
  7. Serve: Transfer the ham to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs and cranberries if desired. Spoon the pan drippings over the slices for extra flavor. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

  • Reserve half of the glaze to apply near the end of baking for a rich, caramelized finish. The glaze can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated; if hardened, reheat gently before use.
  • Use apple cider (juice) for the glaze, not apple cider vinegar, as the flavors differ significantly.
  • This recipe is best with spiral-cut ham for easy serving; however, an uncut ham may be used if scored in a crosshatch pattern before glazing.

Find it online: https://mariascooking.com/brown-sugar-glazed-ham-recipe/