Baked Ham (with Brown Sugar Glaze) Recipe

Experience the delightful blend of sweet and savory in this Honey Baked Ham recipe. A fully cooked ham is elevated by a rich mix of brown sugar, orange juice, honey, and spices for a head-turning dish. Ideal for sharing with family and friends, it promises a memorable centerpiece for any dinner gathering.

I’ve been perfecting this baked ham recipe for a while now and I just had to share it with you. Picture this: a fully cooked ham (about 8-10 lbs) coming out of the oven in just 90 minutes, practically glowing with a brown sugar glaze that brings a unique twist to your holiday dinner spread.

I mix 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, 1/3 cup of honey, a pinch of salt and just the right amount of spices including 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves and ground cinnamon to create a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. This brown sugar ham is perfect for a special Christmas food dinner or any occasion where you want a standout dish that makes everyone ask for your secret techniques.

Trust me, once you try this baked ham, your tastebuds won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because I loved how easy it was to make even though it tastes super fancy. I really enjoy that the glaze soaks into the ham and gives every bite a sweet, savory flavor explosion. I appreciate that it cooks in just 90 minutes so I don’t spend all day in the kitchen. I also like that the combination of brown sugar, orange juice, honey, and spices gives it a unique and mouthwatering taste that makes every holiday feel extra special.

There’s a baked ham with brown sugar glaze that’s, like, the ideal mix of sweet and savory for a holiday dinner. The ham gets soaked in a glaze made up of brown sugar, orange juice, honey, and a couple of spices like ground cloves and cinnamon. It bakes in about 90 minutes and comes out sticky and caramelized. The thing is, it’s really simple to put together, but the flavours totally pop and make it a dish you’ll remember. Enjoying it while it’s still warm and letting it rest a little to lock in all the juices is just the best part.

Ingredients

• Ham: Packed with protein and nutrients, it gives a hearty flavor that perfectly balance the sweet glaze.
• Brown sugar: A natural source of carbs that adds rich molasses notes and a smooth, sweet taste.
• Orange juice: Bursting with vitamin C, it brings a fresh, tangy kick to enliven the flavors.
• Honey: Another sweetener full of natural goodness that creates a deep, floral sweetness in the dish.
• Ground cloves: A warming spice used in small amounts to boost the overall aromatic profile.
• Ground cinnamon: Offers a lightly spicy, sweet layer which really enhances the overall taste.
• A pinch of salt: Essential to elevate all the flavours, making the dish even more delicious.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 fully cooked ham (about 8-10 lbs)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh is best)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large roasting pan with foil so clean up is easier.

2. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern (you dont have to be too perfect on the lines) and place it in the pan.

3. In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, orange juice, honey, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined.

4. Brush the glaze all over the ham, making sure to get it into the scored lines so it really soaks in.

5. Place the ham in the oven and bake uncovered for about 90 minutes.

6. Every 20 minutes or so, take the ham out and baste it with extra glaze to keep it moist.

7. If you notice the glaze starting to darken too much, you can tent the ham loosely with foil.

8. Once the ham is well heated through and the glaze looks sticky and caramelized, remove it from the oven.

9. Let the ham rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving so the juices settle, enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven preheated to 350°F
2. Large roasting pan
3. Heavy-duty aluminum foil
4. Sharp knife for scoring the ham
5. Mixing bowl
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Basting brush
8. Timer
9. Oven mitts

FAQ

Baked Ham (with Brown Sugar Glaze) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the brown sugar, you could try using muscovado sugar. It has a deeper flavor which works well in the glaze
• If you don’t have fresh orange juice, a splash of apple cider can work too though it’ll give a slightly different tang
• Instead of honey, agave nectar is a good alternative; it’s a bit thinner but equally sweet
• You can swap ground cloves with a pinch of allspice. Just use a little less since it’s a bit stronger
• For ground cinnamon, a little nutmeg can do the trick if you’re in a pinch, but be careful as it can easily overpower the dish

Pro Tips

1. When scoring the ham, try not to stress about perfect diamond shapes – just aim to get enough cuts so the glaze can seep in real good.
2. Make sure you baste the ham frequently, around every 20 minutes or so, since it helps keep the meat moist and stops the glaze from burning.
3. If ye notice the glaze starting to get too dark early on, don’t hesitate to loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from burning, even if its just for a short while.
4. After you take the ham out of the oven, let it rest for a bit – about 10 minutes works fine – because this helps the juices settle and makes for a juicier, tastier slice.