Description

This Honey Glazed Ham recipe offers a succulent and flavorful twist on a classic holiday favorite. A bone-in ham is scored and studded with cloves, then coated with a warm honey glaze infused with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest. Slow-baked to perfection at a low temperature and basted regularly, the ham develops a beautifully caramelized, sticky crust while remaining juicy inside. Perfect for festive occasions or special dinners, this recipe yields 12 generous servings.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham

7 pound bone-in fully cooked ham

Honey Glaze

1 cup honey
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon orange zest
Whole cloves (quantity depending on scoring, approx. 20-30 cloves)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) to prepare for slow baking the ham.
Prepare Ham Surface: Score the surface of the fully cooked ham by making diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep one way, then repeat in the opposite direction to form a diamond pattern. Insert whole cloves into each intersection to infuse aromatic flavor during baking.
Make Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and orange zest until evenly mixed.
Warm Glaze: Microwave the honey glaze mixture for 15-30 seconds until it becomes less viscous and easier to brush over the ham.
Prepare Baking Dish: Place the ham cut side down in a baking dish. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist during cooking.
Initial Baking and Glazing: Brush the warm honey glaze all over the prepared ham. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven to bake.
Baste and Finish Baking: During the last 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil. Continue cooking the ham uncovered, basting it with additional warmed honey glaze every 15 minutes to build a caramelized, sticky crust.
Check Doneness and Remove Cloves: Ensure the ham is thoroughly warmed through. Before serving, remove all whole cloves from the ham.
Serve and Enjoy: Slice the ham and serve warm, enjoying the sweet and spiced honey glaze with every bite.

Notes

Use a fully cooked, bone-in ham for best flavor and texture.
Be cautious when handling hot glaze to avoid burns.
If glaze thickens too much while awaiting basting, reheat briefly.
Remove all cloves before slicing to avoid biting into them.
You can prepare the glaze mixture ahead of time and store it refrigerated.
Adjust baking time slightly if your ham is larger or smaller than 7 pounds.