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Classic Brown Sugar Glazed Ham (An Easy Holiday Showstopper!)

The whole, homemade, impressive, and glazed Brown Sugar Ham being served as the centerpiece at a fun and sophisticated Christmas party.

A classic and easy recipe for a ‘Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze,’ perfect as a centerpiece for a holiday meal. This dish uses a fully-cooked, boneless spiral-cut ham that is gently slow-roasted at a low temperature to heat it through. It is then finished at high heat and repeatedly basted with a sweet and tangy glaze made from dark brown sugar, honey, and whole-grain Dijon mustard, creating a sizzling, caramelized crust.

Ingredients

  • 1 (5- to 6-lb.) fully cooked boneless spiral-cut ham
  • Water
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup whole grain Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice

Instructions

  1. Unwrap the ham and let it sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
  2. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 300°F.
  3. Place the ham, flat-side down, in a roasting pan. Pour water into the pan to a depth of 1/4 inch. Cover the pan tightly with foil.
  4. Roast for 12 to 15 minutes per pound (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes for a 6-lb. ham), or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 130°F.
  5. While the ham bakes, stir together the brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, and allspice in a small bowl to make the glaze.
  6. Remove the ham from the oven and uncover it. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
  7. Spoon one-third of the glaze over the ham and roast for 10 minutes.
  8. Spoon another one-third of the glaze over the ham and roast for another 10 minutes.
  9. Spoon the rest of the glaze over the ham and roast for a final 15 minutes, or until the glaze sizzles and begins to form a crust.
  10. Let the ham rest for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Baste it with the pan juices as it rests. Serve warm, drizzling the slices with pan juices.

Notes

  • This is a showstopper main course, perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter.
  • Letting the ham come to room temperature before roasting helps it to cook more evenly.
  • The three-stage glazing process at the end of cooking builds up a thick, caramelized, and flavorful crust.
  • Resting the ham before carving is a crucial step to ensure the meat remains juicy and tender.