Glazed Spiral Ham

A Holiday Ham That's Easier Than You Think

Holidays are a time for family, laughter, and of course, delicious food! For years, I’ve dreaded the holiday ham. The thought of hours spent in the kitchen, wrestling with a complicated recipe, just didn't appeal to me. I'm a busy working mom, and let’s be honest, my free time is precious. I need recipes that are both delicious and easy. So, I searched and searched for a simple, yet impressive ham recipe that wouldn't tie me to the kitchen all day. This glazed spiral ham recipe is the answer to my holiday prayers, and I am thrilled to share it with you.

This recipe isn’t just simple; it’s incredibly flavorful. The combination of sweet maple syrup, spicy mustard, and warming spices creates a glaze that’s simply irresistible. The spiral-cut ham is already partially cooked, meaning minimal cooking time is required. You can spend more time with your loved ones and less time stressing over the meal. I find that the most important element to holiday cooking is the feeling of relaxation, not the pressure of perfection. This ham is perfect for that feeling. I prefer to make this ham a day or two in advance to ensure the glaze has time to set. The flavor deepens after the ham rests, meaning it tastes even better on the day.

Preparing the Ham: The first step is incredibly easy. You only need to place the ham in a roasting pan and let it come to room temperature. This ensures even cooking. Then, you mix a simple juice combination of apple cider, orange juice, and vinegar, pouring it over the ham. This adds a layer of flavor and moisture. Covering it with foil while baking keeps it juicy. The beauty of a spiral-cut ham is its convenience. You don’t need to do any intricate carving, just focus on that delicious glaze!

The Secret Weapon: The Glaze! Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the glaze. This is where the magic happens. I find the perfect balance of sweet and savory in this glaze: the maple syrup provides the sweetness, while the mustard and soy sauce offer a touch of tanginess. The spices add depth, and the red pepper flakes offer a subtle kick (you can easily adjust this to your liking). I make the glaze ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it sits, the more the flavors develop. The simmering process is key for creating a beautifully smooth and glossy glaze. This is an essential step for achieving that perfectly caramelized finish.

Baking and Glazing: After the ham is partially baked, you increase the oven temperature and remove the foil. The glaze is applied in three stages, ensuring even coverage and a beautiful caramelized finish. Each 8-minute baking interval allows the glaze to set perfectly. The final bake time allows for that gorgeous, bubbly caramelization, the hallmark of a perfect holiday ham. The resting time is crucial; this allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a super-moist and tender ham.

Serving Suggestions: Serve this magnificent glazed ham with your favorite holiday sides. It pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. However, whatever you choose to serve it with, this ham will always steal the show. And that's the best part.

This recipe is a lifesaver for busy holiday seasons. It's easy to make, requires minimal cleanup, and tastes absolutely incredible. This is a recipe that will become a new holiday tradition for you and your family for years to come.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Happy Holidays!

Step-by-step

• Place ham in a roasting pan and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Mix apple cider, orange juice, and vinegar together in a bowl.
• Open the spirals of the ham to reveal more of the meat's surface area. Pour the juice mixture over the ham. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 45 minutes.
• Whisk maple syrup, dark brown sugar, white sugar, mustard, soy sauce, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, and cloves together in a saucepan over medium heat until shimmering and smooth, about 2 minutes. Simmer 2 minutes more; remove glaze from heat to cool a bit.
• Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Remove aluminum foil from heated ham. Brush 1/3 the glaze atop the ham to cover it completely.
• Return ham to the hot oven. Bake, uncovered, about 8 minutes. Repeat adding glaze and baking for 8 minutes more.
• Remove ham and baste a third time with remaining 1/3 glaze. Continue baking until glaze is caramelized and bubbly, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Drizzle pan juices on top.