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Perfect Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe with Easy Sweet Brown Sugar Glaze

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A simple and forgiving recipe for a juicy, tender spiral ham with a sticky, caramelized sweet brown sugar glaze featuring Dijon mustard and warm spices. Perfect for holidays and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral ham, 8-10 pounds (4–4.5 kg), smoked recommended
  • 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1/4 cup water or apple juice
  • Whole cloves (optional, for studding the ham)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove the spiral ham from packaging and place it cut-side down on a rack inside a roasting pan. If using whole cloves, gently stud them into the ham’s surface.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and water or apple juice. Warm gently over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  4. Using a basting brush, apply about half of the glaze all over the ham, making sure it seeps between the slices. Reserve the rest for later.
  5. Place the ham in the oven uncovered. Bake for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (approximately 10-12 minutes per pound), basting every 20-30 minutes with the reserved glaze to build a sticky, caramelized crust.
  6. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (not touching the bone) to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C).
  7. Remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10-15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Carve and serve warm, optionally with pan juices or extra glaze on the side.

Notes

Keep the glaze warm on very low heat while baking for easier application. Baste multiple thin layers rather than one thick coat for better texture. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and drying out the ham. Tent with foil if glaze darkens too quickly. For a shinier finish, broil briefly at the end but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiral ham, glazed ham, brown sugar glaze, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, baked ham, sweet ham glaze

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/perfect-glazed-spiral-ham-recipe-with-easy-sweet-brown-sugar-glaze/