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Perfect Brown Sugar Ham Recipe 5 Easy Steps for Glazed Caramelized Crust

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This perfect brown sugar ham features a glazed caramelized crust that is sweet, sticky, and irresistibly tender. Ideal for holiday dinners and family gatherings, it combines simple ingredients with a special glazing technique for a show-stopping dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Bone-in spiral sliced ham (8-10 pounds), pre-cooked
  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove any packaging from the ham and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it cut side down on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, apple cider vinegar, and water. Stir until smooth and well blended.
  4. Score the ham’s surface lightly in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep.
  5. Brush the ham generously with about half of the glaze using a basting brush. Reserve the rest for later.
  6. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
  7. Roast the ham for approximately 1 1/2 hours (about 15 minutes per pound), basting every 20 minutes with the remaining glaze. Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes to allow the crust to caramelize.
  8. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 140°F (60°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, ensure the glaze is bubbling and the edges look golden and sticky.
  9. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes tented with foil.
  10. Carve the ham against the grain using a sharp knife and serve warm with any leftover glaze.

Notes

If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, tent the ham with foil to prevent burning. Use a basting brush to apply glaze multiple times for a sticky crust. Let the ham rest after cooking to keep it juicy. You can substitute honey with maple syrup or use coconut sugar for a lower sugar version. This recipe is naturally gluten-free but check mustard labels to avoid hidden gluten.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar ham, glazed ham, holiday ham, caramelized crust, easy ham recipe, spiral ham, holiday dinner, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/perfect-brown-sugar-ham-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-glazed-caramelized-crust/