Print

Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Brown Sugar Crust

honey glazed spiral ham - featured image
Print Recipe

This honey glazed spiral ham features a sticky, crackly brown sugar crust and juicy, smoky meat. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners, with a double-glaze technique for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 fully cooked spiral sliced ham (8–10 lbs, bone-in preferred)
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (fresh-squeezed preferred)
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/3 cup pineapple juice (optional, swap for orange juice if desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Position oven rack in the lower third.
  2. Remove all packaging and the plastic disc from the bottom of the ham. Place ham, flat side down, on a rack in a large roasting pan.
  3. In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and orange juice. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened (about 3 minutes). Add orange zest or cayenne pepper if using.
  4. Brush 1/3 of the glaze mixture all over the ham, getting between the slices. Cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour (about 10 minutes per pound if ham is smaller or larger).
  5. Remove foil, brush another 1/3 of the glaze over the ham. Re-cover loosely with foil. Bake an additional 30 minutes.
  6. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (205°C). Remove foil, brush on remaining glaze. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until glaze is bubbly and edges are caramelized. Tent with foil if glaze darkens too quickly.
  7. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). If not, continue baking (covered) in 10-minute increments.
  8. Remove ham from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  9. Slice along spiral cuts and arrange on a platter. Spoon extra glaze from pan over the top. Garnish with orange zest or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Double-glaze for deeper flavor; watch closely during final bake to prevent burning. For dairy-free, substitute coconut oil for butter. Baste regularly and keep covered for moist ham. Leftovers are great for sandwiches and salads. For a tropical twist, use pineapple juice and zest.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiral ham, honey glazed ham, brown sugar crust, holiday ham, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, easy ham recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free, comfort food

Find it online: https://avabake.com/honey-glazed-spiral-ham-recipe-easy-brown-sugar-crust-guide/