HONEY BAKED HAM

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (approx. 15-18 minutes per pound)
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 10-12 people
Cooking Intensity: Easy

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful, glistening Honey Baked Ham as the centerpiece of a holiday feast or special occasion. The combination of salty, juicy ham and a sweet, caramelized honey glaze is a timeless classic. While store-bought versions are convenient, making one at home is surprisingly simple and fills your kitchen with an incredible aroma. This recipe guides you through every step to ensure a perfectly heated, incredibly flavorful ham with a professional-looking glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Understanding Your Ham

Most hams you buy for baking are already fully cooked or “city hams.” Our goal here is not to cook the ham, but to heat it through gently and create that magnificent, flavor-packed crust. We recommend a spiral-cut ham for ultimate ease and presentation, but a traditional fully-cooked ham works perfectly as well.

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Ingredients

For the Ham:

• 1 (7-8 pound) fully cooked, bone-in spiral-cut ham

• 1 cup apple juice, chicken broth, or water (for the pan)

For the Honey Glaze:

• 1 cup honey

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• A pinch of ground nutmeg

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh rosemary sprigs

• Orange slices

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Equipment Needed

• Roasting pan with a rack

• Aluminum foil

• Small saucepan

• Whisk

• Basting brush

• Sharp knife (if using a non-spiral ham)

• Meat thermometer

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham for Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Place the ham flat-side down on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. If your ham didn’t come with a plastic cap, don’t worry. If it did, you can usually leave it on to protect the top.

3. Pour the apple juice, broth, or water into the bottom of the pan. This will create steam and prevent the ham from drying out, keeping it incredibly moist.

4. Tent the ham loosely with aluminum foil, sealing it as best you can around the edges of the pan. This initial stage is all about gentle, moist heating.

Step 2: Bake the Ham

1. Place the foil-tented ham in the preheated oven.

2. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (about 12-15 minutes per pound). The internal temperature should reach about 110-120°F when checked with a meat thermometer inserted into the meaty part (avoiding the bone).

Step 3: Create the Honey Glaze

While the ham is baking, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the butter has melted and the sugar has completely dissolved. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Glaze and Caramelize

1. Once the initial heating time is up, remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).

2. Carefully remove the foil tent. Using a basting brush, generously brush about two-thirds of the honey glaze all over the surface of the ham, making sure to get it in between the spiral slices.

3. Return the UNCOVERED ham to the hot oven for 10-15 minutes. The high heat will cause the sugars in the glaze to bubble and caramelize, creating a beautiful, crackly, and sticky crust.

4. Remove the ham and brush with the remaining glaze. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is deeply golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

5. The final internal temperature of the ham should be around 140°F (60°C).

Step 5: The Crucial Rest

1. Transfer the ham to a cutting board or serving platter.

2. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 20 minutes. This allows the hot juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every single slice is moist and tender. This step is non-negotiable for the best texture!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. Garnish the ham with fresh rosemary and orange slices for a beautiful presentation.

2. To serve, simply follow the pre-sliced lines of the spiral ham. For a traditional ham, use a sharp knife to carve thin slices against the bone.

3. Don’t forget to pour any delicious pan juices over the sliced ham for an extra burst of flavor!

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Nutrition Information (Approximate, per 4 oz serving)

• Calories: 320 kcal

• Total Fat: 12g (15% DV)

  • Saturated Fat: 5g (25% DV)

• Cholesterol: 85mg (28% DV)

• Sodium: 1500mg (65% DV) Note: Sodium content is high and inherent to ham.

• Total Carbohydrates: 22g (8% DV)

  • Dietary Fiber: 0g (0% DV)

  • Sugars: 21g

• Protein: 30g

• Vitamin D: 0.5mcg (2% DV)

• Calcium: 15mg (1% DV)

• Iron: 1.2mg (6% DV)

• Potassium: 400mg (8% DV)

Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Chef’s Tips & Variations

• Spice it Up: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the glaze for a bright, citrusy note.

• Bourbon Glaze: For a deeper flavor, replace the apple cider vinegar with 2-3 tablespoons of bourbon.

• Pineapple Classic: In the last 20 minutes of baking, you can secure pineapple rings to the ham with cloves and brush glaze over them for a retro touch.

• Leftover Heaven: Don’t throw away the bone! It’s the perfect start for a flavorful split pea or ham and bean soup. Leftover ham is also fantastic in sandwiches, quiches, and breakfast scrambles.

• Make-Ahead: You can prepare the glaze up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Simply reheat gently before using.

Enjoy the applause as you bring this magnificent, homemade Honey Baked Ham to the table