Ingredients
Scale
For the Ham:
- 1 fully cooked bone-in or spiral-cut ham (8–10 lbs)
- 1 cup water or apple juice (for baking pan)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (or orange juice for a citrus twist)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare the Ham
- Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a roasting rack in a baking pan.
- If it’s not pre-scored, use a knife to make shallow crisscross cuts on the fat layer.
- Add Liquid
- Pour 1 cup of water or apple juice into the bottom of the baking pan. This keeps the ham moist during cooking.
- Cover and Bake
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil, ensuring it’s sealed well to trap moisture.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F.
- Make the Glaze
- While the ham bakes, combine all glaze ingredients (brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, ground cloves, and pineapple juice) in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Apply the Glaze
- Remove the ham from the oven when it reaches 130°F.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Brush the glaze generously over the ham, ensuring it gets into the scored sections.
- Finish Baking
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15–20 minutes, basting with the glaze every 5 minutes.
- The ham is done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Rest and Serve
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.
- Slice and serve with your favorite sides or save leftovers for other recipes.
Enjoy your perfectly baked, flavorful ham!