Description
A festive Christmas Ham recipe featuring a delicious, easy-to-make glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 (14- to 16-pound) fully cooked, bone-in smoked ham
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Whole cloves (for studding)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the ham in a large roasting pan.
- Score the ham’s surface in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep. Insert a whole clove into the center of each diamond.
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, orange juice, honey, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the glaze has slightly thickened.
- Brush about one-third of the glaze over the ham.
- Bake the ham for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding the bone) registers 140°F (60°C). Baste the ham with the remaining glaze every 20-30 minutes during the last hour of cooking.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If your ham is not fully cooked, follow the package instructions for initial cooking time before applying the glaze.
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy; the internal temperature should reach 140°F for a fully cooked ham.
- The resting period is crucial for the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist ham.
- For a richer color, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 2 1/2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American