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Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 117 reviews

This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham recipe features a juicy, bone-in fully cooked ham coated with a sweet and aromatic glaze made of maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. Slow-baked until perfectly caramelized, this festive centerpiece is infused with pineapple juice and garlic for a rich, holiday flavor that’s sure to impress your family and guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham

  • 8–10 pound bone-in fully cooked ham

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for slow baking the ham ensuring even cooking and glazing.
  2. Prepare the glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, water, unsalted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and smashed garlic cloves. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth glaze.
  3. Score the ham: Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8 inch deep. This allows the glaze to penetrate and flavors to infuse the meat.
  4. Apply the glaze: Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush a generous amount of the prepared glaze all over the surface, making sure to get into the scored lines.
  5. Bake the ham: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven. Every 20-30 minutes, baste the ham with more glaze to build up a rich, sticky coating. Continue baking for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, or until heated through and caramelized.
  6. Finish unwrapped: For the last 20 minutes of baking, remove the foil to allow the glaze to thicken and form a beautiful, glossy crust on the ham.
  7. Rest and serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, making each slice tender and flavorful.

Notes

  • Ensure the ham is fully cooked before baking; the baking process primarily warms and glazes the meat.
  • Use a roasting pan with a rack to allow juices to drip and prevent the ham from sitting in liquid.
  • Save leftover glaze to brush on slices when serving for extra flavor.
  • Adjust spices in the glaze to your preference, adding more cinnamon or cloves for a spicier finish.
  • This glaze recipe is suitable for hams up to 10 pounds; for larger hams, increase glaze amounts proportionally.

Keywords: Christmas ham, maple glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham with glaze, festive ham, sweet ham glaze

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/christmas-maple-glazed-ham-recipe/