why make this recipe
Honey Bake Ham is a classic dish that brings warmth and joy to any gathering. It is not just about the flavors but also about the experience of sharing a meal with loved ones. This recipe combines the sweet richness of honey with the savory notes of a perfectly baked ham, creating a dish that is sure to impress your guests. Plus, it’s relatively easy to prepare and allows you to enjoy the celebration without spending all day in the kitchen.
how to make Honey Bake Ham
Ingredients :
- 1 half spiral cut ham (7-8 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Directions :
First, start off by choosing a really high-quality ham. I love to use a bone-in spiral ham because the bone provides tons of flavor. Make sure it’s fully cooked and labeled as smoked. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
Unwrap your beautiful ham and remove all the netting and shrink wrap. Sometimes there is a little plastic cap over the bone; take it off. Place your ham flat-side down on the roasting rack in your roasting pan. If you don’t have a roasting pan, use a metal cooling rack over a rimmed baking sheet to avoid sogginess.
Now, make the honey glaze. In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and 1/3 cup of honey. Stir it together until it’s deliciously syrupy. Use your hands to massage this mixture all over the ham, working it into the spiral cuts as you go. If some glaze drips into the bottom of your pan, that’s okay! Scoop it up and put it back on the ham.
Next, pour about a cup of water into the bottom of your roasting pan. Cover the ham and pan completely with foil. Bake at 325 for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, or about 20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should reach about 140 degrees F, which is just enough to heat it through since the ham is already cooked.
Once done, let your ham cool outside the oven for about 15-20 minutes with the foil on. Meanwhile, make the dry rub by mixing 1 and 1/2 cups of granulated sugar with the spices: 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.
Pour half of this sugar mixture into a rimmed baking sheet. Add the other half to a small saucepan and set it aside. Uncover your ham. If the edges aren’t very moist, brush some pan juices onto the ham. Carefully transfer the ham to the pan with the sugar and roll it in the sugar, patting more on as needed until it’s beautifully coated.
Now, it’s time to use a kitchen torch! Hold the flame about an inch away and keep it moving to avoid burning. As the sugar melts, it will form a shiny, crackly shell over the ham. Once done, you can serve it right away or heat it on the “keep warm” setting in the oven (about 170 degrees F), covered with foil.
Meanwhile, make the serving glaze by combining the remaining sugar mixture in a small saucepan. If there are drippings in the pan, add them, or you can use water. Stir and bring to a boil over medium heat, letting it thicken for about 2-5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve with the ham.
how to serve Honey Bake Ham
Serve your Honey Bake Ham at family gatherings, parties, or holiday dinners. Slice it into thin pieces and present it on a large platter. Pair it with sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, or dinner rolls. Drizzle some extra glaze over the ham for added sweetness.
how to store Honey Bake Ham
Store any leftover Honey Bake Ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. Make sure to wrap it tightly to prevent it from drying out. You can also freeze the ham for longer storage, where it can last up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap it well to avoid freezer burn.
tips to make Honey Bake Ham
- Choose a high-quality ham for the best flavor.
- Don’t skip the glazing step; it adds a beautiful shine and flavor.
- Use a kitchen torch carefully to avoid burning the sugar coating.
- Measure the temperature of the ham accurately to ensure it’s heated correctly.
variation
You can experiment with different glazes by adding your favorite flavors like orange juice, maple syrup, or even some bourbon for a twist.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a boneless ham for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use a boneless ham, but a bone-in ham typically has more flavor.
Q: How do I know when the ham is done?
A: The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees F. This ensures it’s heated through, as the ham is already cooked.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the ham a day ahead, glaze it, and reheat it in the oven before serving. Just be sure to keep it wrapped to maintain moisture.
Honey Bake Ham
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 7-8 pounds half spiral cut ham Choose a bone-in smoked ham for best flavor.
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Instructions
Preparation
- Choose a high-quality bone-in spiral ham that is fully cooked and labeled as smoked.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and place the oven rack in the lower third of your oven.
- Unwrap the ham and remove any netting and plastic cap over the bone. Place the ham flat-side down in a roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and 1/3 cup of honey until syrupy.
- Massage the honey glaze all over the ham, working it into the spiral cuts.
- Pour about 1 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan and cover the ham with foil.
Baking
- Bake at 325°F for about 2 hours and 20 minutes or about 20 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
- After baking, let the ham cool outside the oven for 15-20 minutes with the foil on.
Making the Dry Rub
- Mix 1.5 cups of granulated sugar with the spices (nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, paprika, ginger, allspice) to make a dry rub.
- Pour half of the sugar mixture into a rimmed baking sheet and set the other half aside.
- Uncover the ham, brush any pan juices onto it if the edges are dry, then roll the ham in the sugar mixture until coated.
Finishing Touch
- Using a kitchen torch, hold the flame about an inch away to melt the sugar coating until shiny and crackly.
- For the serving glaze, combine the remaining sugar mixture with the drippings or water in a saucepan, stir and boil for 2-5 minutes to thicken.
- Serve the ham immediately or keep warm in the oven at 170°F covered with foil.