Description
Succulent Honey Glazed Ham brings festive warmth to family gatherings with its golden-brown exterior and rich, caramelized flavor. Delightful slices promise a memorable meal that celebrates classic comfort and culinary tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 (12-pound) bone-in rump portion ham
Seasonings and Sweeteners:
- Whole cloves
- 1 cup brown sugar
Liquid:
- Water (about 1 inch in the roasting pan)
Instructions
- Prepare oven to 350°F, ensuring rack is positioned in lower third of oven for even heat distribution.
- Using a sharp knife, create elegant diagonal crosshatch pattern across ham’s surface, cutting approximately 1/4 inch deep to help seasoning penetrate.
- Strategically insert whole cloves into each diamond intersection, providing aromatic depth and visual texture.
- Generously coat ham’s exterior with brown sugar, gently pressing and massaging to create a caramelized crust that will develop during roasting.
- Select a deep roasting pan and position ham with fat side facing upward, then carefully pour water around ham’s base to create moisture environment.
- Roast ham for 4.5 to 5 hours, monitoring internal temperature periodically with meat thermometer to ensure it reaches minimum 160°F at ham’s thickest section.
- Once cooking completes, remove ham from oven and let rest undisturbed for 15-20 minutes, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensuring succulent, tender meat when carved.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to create precise diamond-shaped scores, ensuring even caramelization and flavor penetration across the ham’s surface.
- Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika or herbes de Provence to customize the ham’s flavor profile and add personal flair.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil during the first few hours of baking to prevent excessive browning and maintain moisture, then uncover to allow the brown sugar to caramelize beautifully.
- For dietary modifications, substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a lower glycemic index option, making the dish more suitable for those monitoring sugar intake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4.5 to 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg