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Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with Apple Cider Glaze

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A brown sugar glazed ham with apple cider reduction that’s perfect for cozy evenings. The glaze caramelizes into a sticky, sweet-tangy coating, and the apple cider reduction adds brightness to balance the richness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Bone-in fully cooked ham (6-8 pounds)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Make sure the rack is in the lower third of the oven.
  2. Remove the ham from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Score the surface in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep. Place the ham cut-side down on a rack in a roasting pan.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, apple cider, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  4. Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes per pound (about 70 minutes for a 7-pound ham).
  5. After the initial bake, remove the foil. Brush about half the glaze all over the ham. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
  6. Brush on another layer of glaze. Bake another 15 minutes.
  7. Brush on the remaining glaze. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until the glaze is bubbling and caramelized. Internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C) for a fully cooked ham.
  8. Remove the ham from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 15-20 minutes.
  9. While the ham rests, pour pan drippings into a small saucepan. Add butter and whisk over medium heat until melted and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  10. Transfer ham to a cutting board. Carve against the grain into thin slices. Drizzle with pan sauce and serve warm.

Notes

Don’t overcook the ham; use a meat thermometer. Score the ham properly for glaze penetration. Layer the glaze in multiple rounds for best results. Watch the sugar during the final high-heat blast to prevent burning. Use pan drippings to make a sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar glazed ham, apple cider ham, holiday ham, spiral ham, glazed ham, easy ham recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-brown-sugar-glazed-ham-with-apple-cider-glaze/