Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Oh, I just love pulling out this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe every holiday season — it feels like the ultimate festive treat. The sweet, sticky maple glaze melts into the savory ham beautifully, creating that perfect balance I always crave for Christmas dinner. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your ham both tender and bursting with warm, spicy sweetness, this recipe is exactly what you need.
What I also adore about this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is how it brings everyone to the table with such a delightful aroma. Whether it’s a big family reunion or just a cozy holiday gathering, this ham looks stunning on the table and tastes even better. Plus, it’s not complicated, so you can focus on enjoying time with loved ones rather than stressing in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple yet flavorful lineup of ingredients works together to create that luscious glaze and keep the ham juicy. Make sure to grab good quality maple syrup—it’s the star here! Also, fresh garlic and those warm spices like cinnamon and cloves bring an irresistible depth to the flavor.
- Bone-in fully cooked ham: Choose an 8-10 pound ham—bone-in stays juicier and has better flavor.
- Pineapple juice: Adds a subtle tang and sweetness that brightens the glaze.
- Water: Helps create the perfect consistency for the glaze without overpowering it.
- Unsalted butter: For richness—using unsalted lets you control the saltiness of the glaze better.
- Brown sugar: Gives depth to the sweetness with its molasses notes.
- Maple syrup: The hero of this glaze—it adds that signature Christmas warmth and sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: A little tangy kick that balances all the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses a cozy, festive spice flavor.
- Ground cloves: Just a hint adds complexity without being overpowering.
- Garlic cloves (smashed): Fresh garlic wakes up the glaze with a subtle savory note.
Variations
This recipe is a bit of a blank canvas, honestly, so feel free to tweak the spices or sweeteners to your liking. When I’ve made it for different families, I’ve sometimes swapped out pineapple juice for orange juice for a citrusy twist, and that works beautifully.
- Orange Juice Swap: I’ve swapped pineapple for orange juice to give a slightly brighter glaze with a hint of citrus—my guests loved the fresh twist.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, you can stir in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a smoky, spicy note.
- Brown Sugar Alternatives: Dark brown sugar or even coconut sugar can be fun substitutes for a different caramel depth.
- Less Sweet Option: Cut back on maple syrup by half and add a splash of apple cider vinegar for balance without losing richness.
How to Make Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ham
Start by removing any packaging and patting your ham dry with paper towels. Score the surface in a diamond pattern – this not only looks pretty but helps the glaze soak in better. Place the ham in a large roasting pan with the flat side down—it will help with even cooking. I like to tent it loosely with foil so it stays moist during baking.
Step 2: Make the Maple Glaze
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, water, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and your smashed garlic cloves. Stir occasionally until the sugar melts and everything is well blended. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to let flavors meld—this step is crucial and you’ll notice the glaze thickening slightly. Remove garlic cloves before glazing the ham.
Step 3: Glaze and Bake
Brush a generous layer of glaze all over the ham, making sure to get into those scored cuts for maximum flavor. Bake the ham at 325°F (165°C), basting every 15-20 minutes with more glaze. It’ll need roughly 1.5 to 2 hours or until heated through and caramelized on top — just watch the glaze carefully so it doesn’t burn! I always keep a close eye toward the end and adjust the oven racks if it starts browning too fast.
Step 4: Rest Before Serving
Once out of the oven, let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps each slice tender and juicy. Then, slice into thick, juicy pieces and prepare for rave reviews!
How to Serve Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I love a sprinkle of fresh rosemary and some orange zest over the ham before serving—it adds a fresh, festive pop of color and aroma. Sometimes I even scatter a few whole cloves into the scored diamonds for that classic holiday look and extra warmth.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this ham are buttery mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, and a tangy cranberry chutney. These complement the sweetness of the maple glaze and add that classic Christmas dinner vibe we all love.
Creative Ways to Present
Last Christmas, I surrounded the sliced ham on a large wooden board with sprigs of fresh thyme, whole cinnamon sticks, and mini oranges for a rustic, festive centerpiece. It made the table look inviting and sparked plenty of compliments before anyone even took a bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the party, I pack leftover ham in airtight containers and keep it refrigerated for up to 4 days. Adding a little bit of leftover glaze on top before sealing helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful when you reheat.
Freezing
I’ve frozen sliced ham in heavy-duty freezer bags with the glaze on the side to add after thawing. It freezes well up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend warming slices gently in a covered baking dish with a splash of water or leftover glaze at 275°F (135°C) until just warmed through. This keeps the ham moist and prevents it from drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use a pre-cooked ham for this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed for bone-in, fully cooked ham, which makes the process easier and quicker since you’re just warming and glazing it. Just be sure to adjust the baking time to heat the ham through without drying it out.
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How do I avoid burning the glaze?
Good question! Since the glaze has sugar, it can burn quickly. I recommend basting frequently and tenting the ham with foil if it starts browning too fast. Lowering the oven rack or reducing the temperature slightly can also help.
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Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you definitely can! Making the glaze a day ahead lets the flavors deepen even more. Just store it in the fridge and warm it gently before brushing on the ham during baking.
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What should I do if I don’t have maple syrup?
If you’re out of maple syrup, you can substitute with honey or a mix of honey and a little molasses. The flavor won’t be quite the same, but it’ll still deliver a lovely sweetness and stickiness to your glaze.
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How long should the ham rest after baking?
Letting the ham rest for about 15 minutes allows the juices to redistribute so the meat stays moist and tender when sliced. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference!
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is hands down one of my favorite holiday traditions. It’s warm, comforting, and impressively festive without being complicated—perfect for sharing with the people you love. I hope you’ll give it a try this season; I promise it’ll add a beautiful, delicious centerpiece to your holiday table that everyone will remember (and ask for again!).
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Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham is a festive and flavorful centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings. The ham is baked with a rich and sweet glaze made from maple syrup, brown sugar, spices, and Dijon mustard, which creates a beautifully caramelized crust infused with warm notes of cinnamon, cloves, and garlic. Served warm, this dish combines the savory taste of ham with the holiday sweetness of maple and spices, making it a crowd-pleaser for any Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Ham
- 8–10 pound bone-in fully cooked ham
Glaze
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to ensure even baking of the ham and glaze absorption.
- Prepare Ham: Place the bone-in fully cooked ham in a roasting pan, scored in a diamond pattern to allow the glaze to penetrate deeply.
- Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine pineapple juice, water, unsalted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and smashed garlic cloves. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally to blend all ingredients into a smooth, fragrant glaze.
- Apply Glaze: Brush the glaze generously over the surface of the ham, ensuring it seeps into the scored cuts to maximize flavor infusion.
- Bake the Ham: Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 20-30 minutes with the remaining glaze to build up a sticky, caramelized crust.
- Rest and Serve: Once the ham is heated through and the glaze is deeply caramelized, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, tender meat.
Notes
- The ham is already fully cooked, so the baking step is primarily to heat through and caramelize the glaze.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of maple syrup or brown sugar according to your preference.
- Make sure to baste frequently to prevent the glaze from burning and to promote a glossy finish.
- Score the ham in a shallow diamond pattern for better glaze absorption and an attractive presentation.
- Leftover ham pairs well with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Keywords: Christmas ham, maple glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham, festive ham, maple syrup glaze
