Description
Easy Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is a comforting and festive dish featuring tender, juicy bone-in ham coated with a rich, caramelized brown sugar glaze. This simple recipe balances sweet and savory flavors with notes of honey, Dijon mustard, and warm spices, perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Ham
- 1 pre-cooked bone-in ham (size according to your needs)
Brown Sugar Glaze
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
Optional Garnishes
- Whole cloves (for studding)
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (for serving)
- Pineapple rings or orange slices (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ham: Remove the ham from packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Score the surface of the ham in a shallow diamond pattern about 1/8 inch deep to allow the glaze to penetrate and create classic crisscross lines.
- Create the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, ground cloves, and pineapple or orange juice. Mix well until smooth and fully blended to form the glaze.
- Glaze and Bake: Place the ham on a roasting rack inside a baking tray. Brush a generous layer of the glaze all over the ham. Optionally, stud whole cloves into the intersections of the scored lines for extra aroma and festive presentation. Bake the ham at 325°F (165°C), basting every 15-20 minutes with remaining glaze until the surface is caramelized and the ham is heated through. This usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the size of the ham.
- Rest and Serve: Once baking is complete, remove the ham from the oven and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes to lock in the juices and make slicing easier. Serve with your favorite sides and garnishes.
Notes
- Choose pre-cooked ham to reduce cooking time and ensure tender meat.
- Score the ham shallowly in diamond patterns to help glaze absorption without cutting too deep.
- Use a roasting rack to allow even heat circulation and prevent soggy ham bottoms.
- Bake low and slow at 325°F to keep ham juicy and glaze sticky but not burnt.
- Baste frequently every 15-20 minutes for best caramelization and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 4 oz)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: baked ham, brown sugar glaze, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, glazed ham, festive dinner, pre-cooked ham