Honey Baked Ham Christmas Recipe

### Step-by-Step Instructions

Making a **Honey Baked Ham** is simple, but the result is impressive. Follow these steps to ensure your ham turns out perfectly cooked, glazed, and absolutely delicious.

#### Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to **325°F (165°C)**. This moderate temperature will ensure that the ham cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.

#### Step 2: Prepare the Ham
If you’re using a **spiral-cut ham**, skip the slicing part—it’s already pre-sliced for your convenience! If you’re working with a bone-in ham that isn’t spiral-cut, score the surface of the ham in a crisscross pattern using a sharp knife. This will allow the glaze to seep into the meat and enhance the flavor. If desired, stud the surface with **whole cloves** for an extra burst of flavor.

#### Step 3: Make the Honey Glaze
In a medium saucepan, combine the **Dijon mustard**, **apple cider vinegar**, **brown sugar**, **honey**, **maple syrup** (if using), **cinnamon**, **cloves**, **ginger**, **nutmeg**, **salt**, and **black pepper**. Stir everything together over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken. Bring it to a simmer for 5-7 minutes, and then remove from heat. You should have a smooth, syrupy glaze.

#### Step 4: Glaze the Ham
Place the ham on a large roasting pan. If you’re using a **spiral-cut ham**, position it with the cut side facing up so that the glaze can get into all the layers. Brush a generous amount of the honey glaze all over the surface of the ham, ensuring it’s well coated.

#### Step 5: Roast the Ham
Cover the ham loosely with **aluminum foil** and place it in the preheated oven. Roast the ham for about **1.5 to 2 hours**, or about **15 minutes per pound**. During the roasting process, you should **baste the ham every 30 minutes** with the glaze, adding more layers of flavor and ensuring that the glaze caramelizes evenly.

#### Step 6: Caramelize the Glaze
For the last 20 minutes of roasting, remove the foil and allow the ham to **roast uncovered**. This will help the glaze form a golden, sticky crust. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning, but let it cook until the glaze is deep golden brown and bubbly.

#### Step 7: Let It Rest and Serve
Once your ham is fully cooked and beautifully glazed, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the ham juicy and flavorful. Slice the ham and serve with extra glaze on the side if desired.

### Tips for the Best Honey Baked Ham

– **Use a pre-cooked ham**: Most store-bought hams come pre-cooked, which means you’re simply heating it through and adding the glaze. This helps ensure a juicy, tender result.
– **Make extra glaze**: If you love a sweet glaze, double the glaze recipe so you can use it as a side sauce or drizzle more on the ham when serving.
– **Spiral-cut ham**: If you’re using a spiral-cut ham, you won’t need to worry about carving. The slices will naturally fall off the bone, making serving easy and mess-free.
– **Don’t overcook**: While you want to ensure your ham is thoroughly heated, you don’t want to dry it out. Be mindful of the cooking time and baste it frequently to keep it moist and flavorful.
– **Try different flavors**: Feel free to adjust the spices in the glaze to suit your preferences. Add a pinch of chili flakes for a little heat, or incorporate some orange zest for a citrusy twist.

### What to Serve With Honey Baked Ham

Honey Baked Ham pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complement your ham:

– **Roasted Vegetables**: Carrots, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts make perfect side dishes with ham, adding both color and flavor to the plate.
– **Scalloped Potatoes**: A rich, creamy potato dish is always a crowd-pleaser and pairs beautifully with the sweet and savory ham.
– **Cranberry Sauce**: The tartness of cranberry sauce provides a nice contrast to the sweet ham.
– **Dinner Rolls**: Soft, buttery dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up any extra glaze.

### Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare with a dish this delicious), here’s how to store and reheat them:

– **Storing**: Wrap leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to **4 days**.
– **Reheating**: To reheat, wrap the ham in foil and warm it in the oven at **325°F (165°C)** for about **15-20 minutes**. You can also warm individual slices in the microwave for quick servings.

### Conclusion: A Christmas Classic

This **Honey Baked Ham Christmas recipe** is a true holiday classic that will be the star of your Christmas dinner. With its **tender, juicy meat**, **sweet, caramelized glaze**, and **beautiful golden finish**, this ham will have your guests coming back for seconds (and thirds). Whether it’s your first time making it or you’re perfecting your holiday ham recipe, this dish is sure to create lasting memories and become a cherished tradition for years to come.

So this Christmas, make sure you’ve got a **Honey Baked Ham** on your menu—it’s a showstopper that’s just as delicious as it is easy to prepare!