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Perfect Glazed Easter Ham with Cloves

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A simple and festive glazed ham studded with cloves, perfect for Easter or any holiday feast. Slow roasted to tender, juicy perfection with a sweet and spicy glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7–9 pounds bone-in smoked ham (spiral-cut recommended)
  • 20–30 whole cloves
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove packaging from ham and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep, spacing cuts about 1.5 inches apart.
  4. Press whole cloves into the center of each diamond shape, spacing evenly without poking too deep.
  5. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and ground cinnamon. Stir until sugar dissolves, then simmer gently for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  6. Place ham fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
  7. Brush the ham generously with the glaze, making sure to get into the scored cuts. Reserve extra glaze for basting.
  8. Roast ham for about 15-18 minutes per pound (approximately 1.75 to 2 hours for 7-9 pounds). Every 20-30 minutes, baste with remaining glaze and pan juices to build a sticky, caramelized crust.
  9. Check doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham (not touching bone). When it reaches 140°F (60°C), the ham is done.
  10. Remove ham from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
  11. Slice against the grain and arrange on a warm platter. Spoon any pan juices over the top before serving.

Notes

If glaze darkens too quickly, tent ham with foil to prevent burning. Frequent basting builds flavor and a sticky, shiny finish. Rest ham after roasting to keep slices moist. Substitute maple syrup for honey for a deeper sweetness. Pineapple juice is optional but recommended for tenderizing and flavor. Slow cooker method possible but glaze won’t caramelize as much.

Nutrition

Keywords: glazed ham, Easter ham, holiday ham, cloves, baked ham, holiday feast, easy ham recipe, sweet and spicy ham

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/perfect-glazed-easter-ham-with-cloves-easy-holiday-feast-recipe/