Christmas Ham

This classic Christmas ham is glazed with brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon, and cloves for a sweet and savory finish that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It stays juicy, slices cleanly, and delivers the familiar, comforting flavor everyone expects from a holiday ham, without unnecessary fuss.

Prep: 20minutes
Cook: 1hour hour 45minutes
Servings: 14

Ingredients

• ▢1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• ▢½ cup pineapple juice
• ▢½ cup honey
• ▢1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ▢½ tablespoon ground cloves
• ▢6-8 pounds bone-in ham
• ▢20 ounces pineapple rings (1 can)
• ▢10 ounces maraschino cherries (1 jar)

Instructions 

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
• In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Place the ham in a roasting pan. Pour half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to get into all of the slices.
• Cover the ham with foil and bake for about 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
• Remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the pineapple rings over the ham, securing them with toothpicks. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, also securing with a toothpick. Drizzle the remaining glaze over the pineapple and cherries.
• Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
• Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making for a more flavorful ham.

Equipment

• 11-inch x 15-inch Roaster with Roasting Rack

Notes

1. Ham Size: If your ham is larger or smaller than the 6-8 pounds specified, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Generally, it’s about 15 minutes per pound.
2. Glaze Tips: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding a splash of orange juice or a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze.
3. Basting: Baste the ham with the glaze a few times during the initial cooking phase to keep it moist and flavorful.
4. Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches the safe internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
5. Let it Rest: Allowing the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking helps redistribute the juices, making the ham more tender and flavorful.
6. Serving Suggestion: The typical serving size for ham, especially for a festive or special occasion meal like Christmas, is generally about 6 to 8 ounces per person.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 632kcal (32%)Carbohydrates: 41g (14%)Protein: 42g (84%)Fat: 33g (51%)Saturated Fat: 12g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 121mg (40%)Sodium: 2326mg (101%)Potassium: 652mg (19%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 40g (44%)Vitamin A: 31IU (1%)Vitamin C: 5mg (6%)Calcium: 48mg (5%)Iron: 2mg (11%)