Creamy Glazed Ham: A Juicy, Sweet, and Irresistible Centerpiece 🍖🍯✨

1. Introduction

Looking for a show-stopping main dish that will impress your guests? This Creamy Glazed Ham recipe is the perfect choice for holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, or any special occasion. The combination of sweet brown sugar, rich honey, and tangy Dijon mustard creates a caramelized glaze that transforms an ordinary ham into an extraordinary centerpiece. If you love glazed ham recipes, this creamy version will quickly become your new favorite.

2. Ingredients

Gathering quality ingredients is key to making this delicious creamy glazed ham. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (7-9 lbs) – the bone adds incredible flavor
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark both work well)
• 1/2 cup pure honey (for the best flavor)
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (creates the perfect tangy balance)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (makes the glaze luxuriously smooth)
• 1 tsp ground cloves (for warm spice notes)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (adds depth to the glaze)

For more delicious dinner recipes that pair perfectly with this ham, check out our collection!

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) – this moderate temperature ensures even cooking without drying out the ham. Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully score the ham in a diamond pattern, making shallow cuts about 1/4 inch deep. This technique does three wonderful things: helps the glaze penetrate deeper, creates more surface area for caramelization, and makes for a beautiful presentation when served. If you’re new to working with ham, don’t worry – scoring is easier than it looks!

Step 2: Make the Creamy Glaze

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all your glaze ingredients: the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, heavy cream, ground cloves, and cinnamon. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the mixture is completely smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture coats the back of your spoon. The heavy cream in this recipe is what makes it special – it creates a velvety texture that clings perfectly to the ham. For more baking tips and tricks, visit our baking section.

Step 3: Apply the Glaze

Place the scored ham in a roasting pan, cut side down (this helps keep it moist). Using a basting brush or even a clean pastry brush, generously coat the ham with about half of the creamy glaze, making sure to get the mixture into all those beautiful scored cuts you made. The glaze should be warm but not hot when you apply it. Reserve the remaining glaze for later – we’ll use it to create that gorgeous caramelized finish. For another great main dish option, try our Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole.

Step 4: Bake the Ham

Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil (this creates a steamy environment that keeps the ham moist) and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. After this initial baking time, remove the foil – your kitchen will smell amazing! – and brush with the remaining glaze. Continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until the glaze is beautifully caramelized and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) when checked with a meat thermometer. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing – this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. For more holiday recipe inspiration, don’t miss our Amish Thanksgiving specialty.

4. Serving Suggestions

This creamy glazed ham pairs beautifully with so many side dishes! For a classic combination, serve it with scalloped potatoes and roasted green beans. If you’re hosting a holiday meal, consider adding our Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole to use up any leftovers. For a lighter option, a fresh spinach salad with strawberries and pecans makes a lovely contrast to the rich ham. Garnish your ham platter with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries for a festive touch that reminds everyone of special occasions.

5. Storage Tips

Leftover ham is incredibly versatile! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing for up to 2 months. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth and cover to keep the meat moist. The leftover ham makes fantastic sandwiches, or you can dice it for omelets, soups (like our Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup), or casseroles.

6. Variations

While this creamy glazed ham recipe is perfect as written, there are endless ways to customize it! For a citrusy twist, add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the glaze. Maple syrup can replace the honey for a deeper, earthier sweetness. If you prefer more spice, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg. For those who love bold flavors, try substituting whole grain mustard for the Dijon. If you enjoy experimenting with flavors, you might also like our Parmesan Garlic Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna.

7. Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this creamy glazed ham lies in the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The brown sugar and honey create that irresistible sweetness, while the Dijon mustard adds just enough tang to keep it from being cloying. The heavy cream is the secret ingredient that makes the glaze luxuriously smooth and helps it adhere beautifully to the ham’s surface. According to The Kitchn’s experts, the combination of sugar and mustard is a classic for good reason – it creates depth of flavor that complements the natural savoriness of the ham perfectly.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a spiral-cut ham for this recipe?
Absolutely! A spiral-cut ham works wonderfully with this creamy glaze. The pre-sliced nature means the glaze can penetrate between the slices, creating even more flavor throughout. Just be sure to brush the glaze between the slices and baste occasionally during baking.

How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the glaze up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to use, warm it slightly to make it easier to brush onto the ham. You can also fully bake the ham a day ahead, then reheat it covered at 300°F for about 30 minutes before serving.

What’s the best way to carve the ham?
Start by cutting around the bone to release large sections of meat. Then slice against the grain into thin pieces. The scoring you did earlier will guide your slices for beautiful presentation.

9. Conclusion

This creamy glazed ham recipe is guaranteed to be the star of any meal, from holiday feasts to Sunday dinners. With its perfect balance of sweetness and tang, luxurious texture, and beautiful presentation, it’s a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds – and the recipe! The leftovers are just as versatile as they are delicious. For a sweet ending to your meal, try our Christmas Eve Cinnamon Vanilla Custard Pie or our Easy No-Bake Cheesy Bread. Once you try this creamy glazed ham, it will become a treasured part of your recipe collection for years to come!

Creamy Glazed Ham

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• Total Time: 2 hours 15 mins

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Description

This Creamy Glazed Ham recipe is the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion. Featuring a caramelized, sweet, and slightly tangy glaze, this ham is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Ideal for holiday feasts, Sunday dinners, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a show-stopping main dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (7–9 lbs)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Score ham in a diamond pattern.
2. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, mustard, cream, cloves, and cinnamon. Cook until smooth.
3. Place ham in roasting pan and brush with half the glaze.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 1.5 hours. Uncover, brush with remaining glaze, and bake 30 more minutes.
5. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• For best results, use a fully cooked bone-in ham.
• Spiral-cut hams work well with this glaze – brush between slices.
• Glaze can be made 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated.
• Leftovers keep 4 days refrigerated or 2 months frozen.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hours

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (4oz)
• Calories: 320 Kcal
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: creamy glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham with glaze, sweet ham recipe, Easter ham, Christmas ham, honey glazed ham, dijon mustard ham