Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is the ultimate way to celebrate any gathering or holiday meal. Picture a stunning centerpiece that’s as mouthwatering as it is visually appealing, with layers of savory and sweet flavors that create a deliciously sticky glaze. As the warm, golden-brown glaze caramelizes in the oven, it offers a tantalizing scent that fills your kitchen, evoking memories of family gatherings and festive occasions. This recipe takes that classic spiral-cut ham and elevates it to an experience you’ll want to recreate time and time again.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

I discovered this Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze during a holiday season filled with joy and laughter, where the perfect ham was always the highlight. The combination of brown sugar, orange juice, and spices transforms the ham into something extraordinary, making it a hit with both family and friends. And the best part? It’s simple enough for kitchen novices yet impressive enough to steal the show at your next feast. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Easter, or an intimate dinner, this dish promises to have your guests raving and coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Prepping takes only 10 minutes, and the oven does the rest—perfect for busy days!
Irresistible Flavor: The sweet and tangy glaze creates an explosion of flavor that delights the palate.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Impress everyone with its stunning appearance; a beautifully glazed ham is always a showstopper.
Flexible Serving: Great for any occasion, from holiday dinners to casual weekend feasts.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free diets—just check your ingredients!

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 lb bone-in spiral cut ham: A classic choice, perfect for even heating and easy slicing. You can substitute with a boneless ham if preferred, though the bone adds more flavor.
1/2 cup butter: This helps create a luxurious glaze; use unsalted butter for better control over salt levels.
1 cup brown sugar: Brown sugar gives that deep, rich sweetness. Light or dark works; dark just adds more molasses flavor.
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice: Fresh juice elevates your glaze’s freshness and brightness—bottled juice often lacks the same vibrancy.
1 teaspoon orange zest: Zest enhances the orange flavor; always opt for zest from organic oranges to avoid pesticides.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and complexity; feel free to swap with nutmeg for a different flavor profile.
Pinch of nutmeg: A touch of nutmeg complements the other spices beautifully.
Cooking spray: Prevents sticking; you can also use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Fresh herbs and fruit for garnish (optional): Garnishing with herbs (like rosemary) and fruits (like oranges) adds freshness and color to your presentation.

How to Make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. While it’s warming up, coat a large baking pan with cooking spray to prevent any sticky mess.

Prepare the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, add 1/2 cup of butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Place it over medium heat and stir until everything is combined.

Simmer the Glaze: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s ready when the glaze thickens slightly and becomes syrupy—this is what will give your ham that delightful sticky finish!

Coat the Ham: Carefully place the ham in the prepared baking pan and pour half of the glaze over the top. Make sure it coats the ham well. Then, cover the ham tightly with foil to keep it moist while baking.

Bake the Ham: Slide the ham into the preheated oven and bake it for 2 hours. This slow-cooking process allows those flavors to meld beautifully into the ham.

Uncover and Glaze: After 2 hours, remove the foil. Brush the remaining glaze over the ham—if the glaze has thickened too much, simply microwave it for 30-45 seconds to loosen it up.

Increase the Temperature: Now, crank the oven temperature up to 400 degrees F. This step is crucial for caramelization and achieving that beautiful browned crust.

Finish Baking: Place the ham back in the oven, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes. Watch closely as it caramelizes; the glaze should bubble up and become beautifully golden brown.

Serve and Garnish: Once done, transfer the ham to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and sliced fruits if you like! Don’t forget to spoon some of the pan drippings over the sliced ham for extra flavor.

Storing & Reheating

Leftover baked ham with brown sugar glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer-term storage, wrap slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat the ham in the oven at 325 degrees F until warmed through, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Keep in mind that reheating may make the ham a bit drier, so consider basting it with a little broth or the reserved glaze for added moisture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

To avoid drying out the ham, always cover it tightly with foil until the last baking phase when you want it to caramelize.
Make sure your butter is room temperature for easy mixing with the sugar and spices.
Check the internal temperature; it should reach about 140 degrees F for safe serving.
Adding a splash of bourbon or maple syrup to the glaze can give it an extra layer of flavor!
Want to prep in advance? You can make the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it; just warm it slightly before using.

Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze brings together sweet and savory in a delightful way that is bound to make your occasions memorable. It’s easy to make yet impressive enough to leave a lasting impression on your guests. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different glazes or spices; after all, cooking is all about finding what you enjoy most. Enjoy this recipe, and watch it transform your dinner table into a festive paradise!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of ham?

Absolutely! While spiral-cut ham is popular for its ease of slicing and flavor, you can also use boneless ham, country ham, or even a smoked ham. Just adjust your cooking time based on the size and type of ham you choose.

How do I know when the ham is done?

The best way to determine if your baked ham is done is by checking the internal temperature. It should reach 140 degrees F for safe serving. You can use an instant-read thermometer to make sure.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day in advance; just store it in the fridge. When ready to use, warm it gently in the microwave or saucepan before pouring it over the ham.

What can I serve with the baked ham?

This delicious ham pairs wonderfully with sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh spinach salad. You could even serve it with a sweet potato casserole or cornbread for a comforting meal.

More Main Dishes Recipes

Orange Chicken Meatballs

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: Anna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 160 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Main Dishes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze features an irresistible combination of flavors with sweet brown sugar and zesty orange juice, making it a delightful addition to any festive gathering. It’s easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests!

Ingredients

Scale

8 lb bone in spiral cut ham
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup orange juice fresh squeezed
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
cooking spray
fresh herbs and fruit for garnish optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.
In a pan, combine butter, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat over medium until simmering for 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze becomes syrupy.
Place the ham in the pan and pour half of the glaze over it. Cover the ham tightly with foil, reserving the remaining glaze.
Bake the ham for 2 hours. After that, uncover it.
Brush the remaining glaze over the ham. If needed, microwave the glaze for 30-45 seconds to loosen it up.
Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Bake the uncovered ham for an additional 15-20 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and browned.
Transfer the ham to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs and fruit. Spoon pan drippings over the ham, slice, and serve.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the glaze according to your taste.
For added flavor, allow the ham to marinate in the glaze for a few hours before baking.