Baked Ham with Brown Sugar
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
2 hrs 30 mins
-
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
-
Servings
12
-
Calories
488 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar
Description
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar focuses on enhancing a bone-in spiral cut ham with a glaze made from brown sugar, butter, fresh orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. The glaze is simmered until syrupy and half is brushed over the ham before baking. The ham is tightly wrapped and baked for two hours at a moderate temperature, allowing the flavors to infuse and the meat to cook evenly. After uncovering, the remaining glaze is applied and the oven temperature is raised to caramelize the glaze, forming a sticky, sweet crust. The finishing touch includes garnishing with fresh herbs and fruit for added color and balance, with pan drippings spooned generously over the sliced meat to maintain moistness.
The interplay between the sweet and warm spices with the fresh citrus brightens the rich pork flavor. Baking wrapped for most of the cooking time ensures juiciness while the final uncovered bake produces an inviting caramelized surface. This ham can stand on its own or accompany traditional sides for a festive meal presentation.
Choosing a bone-in spiral cut ham helps retain moisture and eases slicing. Freshly squeezed orange juice is recommended for a brighter glaze flavor compared to commercial options. If using a half shank ham, scoring the top in a diamond pattern allows better glaze penetration. Boneless ham may dry out faster so bone-in is preferred for this method.
Ingredients
- 8 lb ham bone-in, spiral cut
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- nutmeg pinch
- cooking spray
- herbs optional, fresh, for garnish
- Fruit optional, fresh, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg to a pan. Place the pan over medium heat.
- Bring the pan to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes or until glaze is syrupy.
- Place the ham in the pan and pour half of the glaze over the top. Cover the ham tightly with foil. Reserve the other half of the glaze for later use.
- Bake the ham for 2 hours. Uncover the ham.
- Brush the remaining glaze over the ham. If the glaze has started to harden, you can microwave it for 30-45 seconds to loosen it back up.
- Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
- Place the ham, uncovered, in the oven. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until glaze is caramelized and browned.
- Transfer the ham to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs and fruit. Spoon pan drippings over the ham. Slice the ham, then serve.
Notes
- Use a bone-in spiral cut ham for best moisture and ease of slicing; scoring a half shank ham into a diamond pattern also works for glaze absorption.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice provides a brighter glaze flavor than bottled juice.
- If the glaze hardens while resting, reheat briefly to loosen it before glazing the ham.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 488 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 488kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 100mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 855mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 373mg | 8% |
| Sugar | 36g | 72% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 34mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.2mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
