Baked ham with brown sugar glaze is a beautiful centerpiece for any festive occasion, elevating your dinner table with its golden sheen and sweet aroma. The tender, juicy meat pairs beautifully with the rich, syrupy glaze, creating a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. This dish not only brings joy to your palate but serves as a warm reminder of family gatherings and special celebrations.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flavor. Using minimal ingredients, you can create an impressive and delicious meal in no time. It’s also versatile enough to serve at holiday dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy family brunch. Trust me, once you try making this baked ham at home, you’ll wonder why you ever considered takeout!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Just 10 minutes of prep, then the oven does the work for about 2 hours.
Irresistible Flavor: The blend of brown sugar and spices makes for a sweet and savory glaze.
Eye-Catching Appeal: This ham looks stunning, making it a showstopper for any table.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday feasts, Sunday dinners, or as leftover lunch!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adjust to suit gluten-free and dairy-free needs with a few tweaks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 lb bone-in spiral cut ham: This provides the ideal balance of meat and flavor, ensuring each slice is tender. Make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking.
1/2 cup butter: Adds richness and helps the glaze stick beautifully to the ham. Unsalted butter is best, allowing you to control the saltiness.
1 cup brown sugar: This gives the glaze its sweet characteristic, caramelizing wonderfully in the oven. Light or dark brown sugar both work, depending on your preference.
1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed: Fresh juice adds a bright note and balances the sweetness. If you don’t have fresh oranges, use high-quality store-bought.
1 teaspoon orange zest: Enhances the orange flavor in the glaze, creating a fragrant aroma. Always use fresh zest for the best flavor.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, making the glaze more complex. You can experiment with nutmeg or cloves if you wish.
Pinch of nutmeg: A tiny touch elevates the flavor and complements the cinnamon beautifully.
Cooking spray: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier, ensuring the ham comes out perfectly.
Fresh herbs and fruit for garnish (optional): Add a touch of color and freshness when serving. Fresh rosemary or orange slices work well.

How to Make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Preheat: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This simple step ensures your ham will slide right out when it’s time to serve.

Make the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, add 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set the pan over medium heat and stir the mixture gently. You’ll want to bring it to a simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the glaze becomes syrupy and fragrant.

Prepare the Ham: Carefully place the ham in the prepared baking pan, cut side down. Pour half of the warm glaze over the top of the ham, making sure to cover it evenly. Then, cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil to keep all that moisture in. Reserve the other half of the glaze for later.

Bake: Pop the ham into the preheated oven and let it bake for 2 hours. During this time, the heat will help infuse the flavors into the ham, leaving it succulent and tender.

Uncover and Glaze Again: After 2 hours, remove the foil carefully, watching out for the steam. Brush the remaining glaze over the ham; if it’s thickened too much, pop it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to loosen it up. This second coating is vital for that beautiful, caramelized finish.

Increase Temperature: Now, it’s time for a little contrast! Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and return the ham, uncovered, to the oven. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, watching carefully until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized to deep amber perfection.

Garnish and Serve: Once beautifully browned, transfer the ham to a serving platter. I love to garnish with fresh herbs and slices of orange to add a pop of color. Spoon some of the pan drippings over the ham, then slice and serve it to your delighted guests!

Storing & Reheating

If you have any leftovers (which can be hard to believe), let the ham cool completely before storing. Keep it at room temperature for up to 2 hours, then transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat slices in a 325-degree F oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through and juicy.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure that your ham is fully thawed; a partially frozen ham won’t cook evenly.
For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding cloves or a dash of allspice to the glaze.
If your glaze seems too thick to pour, gently reheat it on the stove to thin it out before applying.
Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes after baking for the juiciest slices.
If you want to add a tangier twist, try using grapefruit juice instead of orange juice.

Baked ham with brown sugar glaze offers an easy route to a delicious meal that wows without requiring hours in the kitchen. Not only does it bring warmth to gatherings, but it also leaves room for creativity in serving. Whether you choose to serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or fluffy mashed potatoes, the often-ignored leftovers can be transformed into delightful sandwiches or grain bowls throughout the week. Remember, cooking is about joy and experimentation, so make it your own!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of glaze?

Definitely! You can swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup for a different sweetness, or even experiment with honey or apricot preserves for a fruity twist.

Is this recipe suitable for a smaller ham?

Yes! Adjust the cooking time based on the weight of your ham. For every pound of ham, plan for around 20 minutes of cooking time. Just keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

What side dishes pair well with the baked ham?

A simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or cheesy scalloped potatoes make fantastic accompaniments. You can’t go wrong with the classic macaroni and cheese, either!

How can I ensure my ham stays moist?

Keeping the ham covered while baking is key to retaining moisture. Basting it with the glaze during cooking and allowing it to rest after it comes out of the oven also helps ensure juicy slices every time.

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 160 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Main Dishes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze features a combination of tender ham with a sweet glaze made from brown sugar and orange juice. The easy prep and mouthwatering flavor make it a perfect choice for festive occasions or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

8 lb bone in spiral cut ham
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup orange juice fresh squeezed
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
cooking spray
fresh herbs and fruit for garnish optional

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.
In a pan over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until it thickens and becomes syrupy.
Place the ham in the prepared pan and pour half of the glaze over it. Cover the ham tightly with foil, saving the remaining glaze for later.
Bake the ham for 2 hours. After this, uncover it.
Brush the remaining glaze over the ham. If it has thickened, microwave it for 30-45 seconds to loosen it.
Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Bake the ham, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and browned.
Transfer the ham to a serving platter, garnish with fresh herbs and fruit, and spoon the drippings over it. Slice and serve.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding your favorite herbs to the glaze.
Reheat any leftover ham in the oven to maintain its moisture.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less brown sugar.