Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is not just a dish; it’s a celebration on a plate. Each bite bursts with a medley of sweet and savory flavors, from the caramelized brown sugar glaze to the rich, tender ham. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a family dinner, or simply craving a delicious meal, this roast is a surefire way to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.

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
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

The beauty of this delightful recipe lies in its simplicity, making it accessible even for those new to cooking. Imagine the wonderful aroma wafting through your home as the ham bakes, filling the air with the warmth and comfort we all seek in food. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dish worthy of any feast. Grab your apron and get ready to bring joy to your table with this delectable Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip this dish together in just 10 minutes of prep, letting the oven do the magic!
Irresistible Flavor: The caramelized glaze, with hints of orange, cinnamon, and nutmeg, perfectly complements the smoky ham.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Impress your guests with a beautiful, glossy ham that’s as stunning as it is tasty.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or even a casual weeknight meal.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adjust this recipe for a low-sugar or lower-sodium ham to suit your needs!

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 lb bone-in spiral cut ham: This cut is pre-sliced and cooks evenly, making it great for serving.
1/2 cup butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky glaze that clings beautifully to the ham.
1 cup brown sugar: Provides that signature sweet caramelization, rich in flavor.
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice: Brightens the glaze with a lively citrus note.
1 teaspoon orange zest: Enhances the orange flavor, offering a refreshing aroma.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, rounding out the sweetness.
Pinch of nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon with an earthy richness.
Cooking spray: Prevents the ham from sticking to the baking pan for easy serving.
Fresh herbs and fruit for garnish (optional): Elevate the dish’s presentation and add a pop of color.

How to Make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures the ham cooks evenly and develops a beautiful glaze.

Prepare the Baking Pan: Generously coat a large baking pan with cooking spray. This will make clean-up easier and prevent sticking.

Make the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine 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. Place the pan over medium heat, allowing the mixture to come to a simmer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and becomes syrupy.

Glaze the Ham: Place the prepared ham in the baking pan, then pour half of the glaze over the top, ensuring it is well-coated. Make sure to cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Save the remaining glaze for later.

Bake the Ham: Slide the covered ham into the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, ensuring a moist and tender ham.

Uncover and Brush: After 2 hours, carefully uncover the ham. Use a brush to apply the remaining glaze over the ham. If the glaze has thickened, giving it a quick zap in the microwave for 30-45 seconds will loosen it significantly.

Increase the Heat: Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F, allowing the glaze to caramelize. This step adds a gorgeous finish and enhances the flavor profile.

Finish Baking: Return the ham, uncovered, to the oven. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and beautifully browned. Keep an eye on it; you want it to bubble without burning.

Serve and Garnish: Once perfectly cooked, transfer the ham to a platter. Add fresh herbs and seasonal fruits for a beautiful garnish. Spoon any leftover pan drippings over the top for extra flavor before slicing and serving.

Storing & Reheating

To store leftovers, wrap the ham tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. It can last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If you prefer to freeze it, ensure it’s well-sealed to maintain moisture, and enjoy within 3 months for the best flavor. To reheat, simply place the slices in a covered dish in a 325 degrees F oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. The glaze may harden slightly, but you can microwave it briefly to refresh its syrupy consistency.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overcooking: Keep an eye on the ham at the end of baking to prevent it from drying out.
Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easier mixing when making the glaze.
Use a meat thermometer: For optimal doneness, the internal temperature should reach at least 140 degrees F for safety.
Make-ahead option: Prepare the glaze a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before glazing the ham.
Adjust flavors: Feel free to tweak the spices to suit your taste—add cloves for a warm, festive touch or a dash of cayenne for heat!

Can I make this recipe with a different type of ham?

Absolutely! While a bone-in spiral cut ham is recommended for its flavor and tenderness, you can also use a boneless ham or even a smaller cut. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How do I know when the ham is done cooking?

Using a meat thermometer is your best bet. For fully cooked ham, you want the internal temperature to reach at least 140 degrees F. For heating a raw ham, aim for 160 degrees F.

Can I add ingredients to the glaze?

Certainly! Feel free to experiment with additional flavors. A splash of bourbon, honey, or even some mustard can add a unique twist to the glaze.

How do I prevent the ham from drying out?

Keeping the ham covered with foil during the initial baking phase helps trap moisture. Additionally, basting it with the glaze periodically adds moisture and flavor throughout the cooking process.

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

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

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Description

This Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table, featuring a sweet and tangy glaze made with brown sugar and fresh orange juice. It’s easy to prepare and promises an irresistible flavor that everyone will love.

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 saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat over medium until simmering and cook for 5-7 minutes until syrupy.
Place the ham in the prepared pan and pour half of the glaze over it. Cover the ham tightly with foil, reserving the other half of the glaze.
Bake for 2 hours, then uncover the ham.
Brush the remaining glaze over the ham, microwaving for 30-45 seconds if it has hardened.
Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the glaze caramelizes.
Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh herbs and fruit, spooning pan drippings over, then slice and serve.