The article provides a step-by-step guide to preparing the ultimate Christmas ham, complete with ingredients and instructions. Starting with a fully cooked bone-in ham, the recipe involves scoring the ham, creating a glaze with brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, juice, cloves, and cinnamon, and then baking the ham with the glaze. Finally, the ham is served after resting for 15-20 minutes. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in the glaze is said to complement the ham beautifully, making it a delicious holiday centerpiece. The article encourages readers to indulge in tradition and enjoy this festive dish with family and friends.

Indulge in Tradition: The Ultimate Christmas Ham Recipe

Introduction

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a delicious ham as the centerpiece of your holiday feast. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or enjoying a cozy meal at home with your loved ones, a perfectly cooked ham is sure to impress. This step-by-step guide will show you how to prepare the ultimate Christmas ham that is both tender and flavorful, guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 10-12 pounds)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Remove the ham from its packaging and place it in a large roasting pan, fat side up.

Step 2: Score the Ham

Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut too deep into the meat.

Step 3: Make the Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze is smooth.

Step 4: Glaze the Ham

Brush half of the glaze over the surface of the ham, making sure to coat it evenly. Reserve the remaining glaze for basting later.

Step 5: Bake the Ham

Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the foil and baste the ham with the remaining glaze. Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until the ham is caramelized and heated through.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Serve the ham slices on a platter with your favorite side dishes and enjoy the delicious flavors of this ultimate Christmas ham recipe.

Conclusion

With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can create a show-stopping Christmas ham that will have your guests coming back for seconds. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in the glaze will complement the natural richness of the ham perfectly, making it a truly indulgent holiday treat. So gather your family and friends, set the table, and get ready to indulge in tradition with the ultimate Christmas ham recipe.