5.0 from 81 votes
How to Cook A Ham - The Best Baked Ham
Directions on how to cook a ham in the oven and make a delicious sweet ham glaze.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 488 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 lb bone in spiral cut ham
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider can also use orange juice or pineapple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- pinch of ground cloves
- cooking spray
- cranberries and herbs for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves to a pot. Place the pot over medium heat.
- Bring the pot 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 it. Cover the ham with foil. Reserve the remaining glaze for later user.
- Bake the ham for 2 hours. Uncover the ham.
- Pour the remaining glaze over the ham. If the glaze has started to harden, you can microwave it for a few 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 cranberries. Spoon pan drippings over the ham. Slice the ham, then serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe works best with a spiral cut ham. If you have a ham that's not pre-cut, you can simply score the top in a diagonal pattern with a sharp knife, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
- You can use a larger or smaller ham than the recipe calls for, you'll just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Calories
488kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
36g
(12%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Cholesterol
100mg
(33%)
Sodium
855mg
(36%)
Potassium
373mg
(11%)
Sugar
36g
(72%)
Vitamin A
355IU
(7%)
Calcium
34mg
(3%)
Iron
1.2mg
(7%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 488
% 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.