Elevate your holiday table or any family gathering with this incredibly flavorful and beautifully caramelized Brown Sugar Glazed Ham! This recipe transforms a fully cooked spiral-cut ham into a show-stopping centerpiece, coated in a luscious, sweet, and spiced glaze of brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s a surprisingly easy way to achieve a perfectly moist, tender, and irresistible ham that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is a true holiday hero in my kitchen, and I absolutely adore it for its simplicity and stunning results! What I love most is the way the pineapple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves simmer down into a thick, aromatic syrup that perfectly complements the savory ham. The double glazing process ensures every slice of that spiral-cut ham is infused with incredible flavor and boasts a beautiful, glossy, caramelized crust. It’s a foolproof method to achieve juicy, tender ham that’s packed with that classic sweet and savory balance. It truly makes a statement on the dinner table with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Ham:
- 1 bone-in fully cooked spiral cut ham (about 10 lbs / 4.5 kg)
- 1 cup pineapple juice (240ml)
- ½ cup brown sugar (90g), packed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
Swaps and Notes
- Ham: A fully cooked spiral-cut ham is highly recommended for easy carving and glaze penetration. Look for a bone-in ham for the best flavor. This recipe is designed for a 10 lb ham, adjust baking time for smaller or larger hams.
- Pineapple Juice: 100% pineapple juice is essential for the glaze. Do not use pineapple syrup from canned pineapple.
- Brown Sugar: Packed light or dark brown sugar works perfectly for the glaze, adding moisture and a caramel note.
- Cinnamon Stick & Cloves: These whole spices infuse the glaze with warm, festive aromas. Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp) and ground cloves (1/4 tsp) can be used as a substitute if you strain the glaze well before brushing.
- Optional Glaze Boosts: A tablespoon of Dijon mustard, a splash of orange juice, or a pinch of ground ginger can be added to the glaze for extra complexity.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Ham baking!
- Bring Ham to Room Temperature: Take your spiral-cut ham out of the refrigerator about 2 hours before you plan to bake it. This allows it to come closer to room temperature, which helps it heat more evenly in the oven.
- Prepare Ham for Baking: Remove the ham from its packaging. Place it in a deep baking dish or roasting pan, fat side up. The fat cap will render and self-baste the ham as it cooks.
- Make the Glaze (Initial Simmer): In a small saucepan, combine the 1 cup pineapple juice, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Reduce Glaze: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the glaze simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until the pineapple juice is reduced by about half. It should become thick and syrupy, coating the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
- First Glaze Application: Carefully brush about half of the prepared, thickened glaze generously onto the ham. Make sure to get some of the glaze into the folds of the spiral-cut slices. Reserve the other half of the glaze for later.
- Initial Bake: Place the glazed ham in a preheated 325°F (165°C) oven and bake for 1½ hours (90 minutes).
- Second Glaze Application & Final Bake: Carefully remove the ham from the oven. Discard the cinnamon stick and cloves from the reserved glaze. Brush the remaining glaze generously onto the ham, ensuring good coverage. Return the ham to the oven and continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 160°F (71°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone). The glaze should be beautifully caramelized.
- Rest & Serve: Remove the ham from the oven. Allow the ham to rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist ham.
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ham: Don’t skip allowing the ham to come to room temperature. This promotes more even heating.
- Tight-Fitting Pan: Use a baking dish that’s a good fit for the ham to help trap moisture.
- Reduce Glaze Properly: Simmering the glaze until it’s thick and syrupy ensures it will coat the ham beautifully and caramelize, rather than just running off.
- Don’t Overcook: A fully cooked ham only needs to be reheated to a safe internal temperature. Overcooking will dry it out.
- Baste into Folds: For spiral-cut hams, actively brush the glaze into the pre-cut slices to infuse every part of the ham with flavor.
- Resting is Crucial: Always let the ham rest after baking before carving. This results in a juicier ham.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is the perfect centerpiece for a holiday feast or any special occasion, pairing wonderfully with:
- Scalloped Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes: Classic comfort food sides that complement the richness of the ham.
- Roasted Vegetables: Such as asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.
- Dinner Rolls or Biscuits: Perfect for making leftover ham sandwiches.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: A lovely sweet and savory pairing.
- For other impressive holiday desserts, consider our These Pecan Pie Bars Are My Favorite Make-Ahead Holiday Dessert or our crowd-pleasing This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert To Feed A Crowd.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Glazed ham makes fantastic leftovers, which can be just as delicious as the main meal!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover ham, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat sliced ham gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth, or in an oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. Avoid high heat, which can dry it out.
- Freezing: Cooked ham freezes well. Slice any remaining ham, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, savory, and comforting nature of this ham, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that are perfect for holidays or hearty meals:
- For another delightful fall treat in cookie form, try our These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies Are My Favorite Fall Treat In Bite-Sized Form.
- If you’re a fan of comforting poultry dishes, our These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food For Lazy Sundays are a must-try.
- And for an easy savory appetizer with big flavor, check out This Baked Kosher Salami Is My Favorite Easy Appetizer With Big Flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is a brilliant way to prepare a truly spectacular and flavorful ham with minimal effort. It’s perfect for holidays, special occasions, or anytime you want to bring a beautiful, sweet, and savory centerpiece to your table.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your home! What’s your favorite way to glaze a holiday ham, or your go-to side dish for ham? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
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