Spiced Maple Honey-Glazed Ham

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 12
★★★★★
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Spiced Maple Honey-Glazed Ham is your ticket to a show-stopping centerpiece for any festive gathering. With a sticky-sweet glaze packed with warmth and spice, this ham is both classic and contemporary—a perfect blend of tradition and flavor.

Ingredients for Spiced Maple Honey-Glazed Ham

The star of the dish, a whole bone-in ham, provides succulence and depth. The glaze begins with honey, offering natural sweetness and a beautiful sheen. Maple syrup adds a distinct, rich flavor that complements the honey. Dijon mustard gives a tangy contrast that enhances the glaze. A medley of spices—cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice—brings warmth and complexity. A hint of cayenne pepper adds a subtle kick, balancing the sweetness. Apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness, and unsalted butter ensures a smooth, glossy finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Scoring the ham ensures more glaze penetration, leading to a more flavorful bite.
  • Use a basting brush for even glaze application.
  • If the glaze starts to burn, tent the ham with foil and reduce the oven temperature slightly.
  • Letting the ham rest is crucial—don't skip this step!

Serving Suggestions

This ham pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, like Brussels sprouts or carrots, and creamy mashed potatoes. Consider a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the meal. For a festive touch, serve with a side of homemade cranberry sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe with a boneless ham?
Yes, but bone-in ham provides more flavor and moisture.
Is it necessary to use both honey and maple syrup?
The combination of both gives the glaze its unique flavor profile, but you can adjust the ratios to your taste.
Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the glaze up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge. Warm it up before using.

Spiced Maple Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). This ensures the ham cooks evenly. Next, place the ham in a large roasting pan, positioning it fat side up. Score the surface into a diamond pattern, which allows the glaze to penetrate and flavor the meat deeply.

Now, move to your stovetop. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, and butter. Stir until everything is well-blended and smooth. This is your flavorful glaze.

Brush half of this glaze generously over the ham, making sure to cover it thoroughly. Then, loosely cover the ham with aluminum foil to keep it moist and help it cook evenly. Bake for about 1.5 hours.

After 1.5 hours, remove the foil. Brush the remaining glaze over the ham, ensuring it is well-coated. Bake for another 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes. This frequent basting helps achieve that beautiful caramelization and ensures the ham is heated through. Once done, let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute, making for the juiciest ham slices.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Complex flavors from a blend of spices and sweeteners.
  • Simple preparation with impressive results.
  • Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or special occasions.
  • Leftovers make for excellent sandwiches and breakfast additions.

Ingredients

1 whole bone-in ham (10-12 lbs)
1 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Place ham in a large roasting pan, fat side up, and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
3. In a saucepan, combine honey, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, and butter over medium heat until smooth.
4. Brush half of the glaze over the ham, covering it thoroughly.
5. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake for about 1.5 hours.
6. Remove foil, brush remaining glaze over the ham, and bake for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes until the ham is caramelized and heated through.
7. Remove from oven, let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

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