Simple Sweet Holiday Honey Baked Ham

Jump to Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the sweet and savory aroma of a holiday ham baking in the oven. This Simple Sweet Holiday Honey Baked Ham is the perfect centerpiece for any festive gathering, combining the rich, smoky flavor of ham with a golden honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully. It’s a recipe that’s both easy to prepare and sure to impress your family and guests. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a special Sunday meal, this ham is guaranteed to bring everyone to the table with smiles and appetites ready!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

8 lb Ham (Bone-In Spiral Sliced): The star of the recipe, this tender and flavorful cut is pre-sliced for easy serving and absorbs the glaze perfectly.
2 Tbsp Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the honey-mustard mixture adhere to the ham.
3 Tbsp Honey: Provides natural sweetness and enhances the caramelized flavor of the glaze.
3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard: Brings a tangy balance to the sweetness, complementing the ham’s savory taste.
1 Cup Water: Creates steam in the baking dish to keep the ham moist during cooking.

Glazed Ham Ingredients:

1 ½ Cups Sugar: The base for the glaze, adding sweetness and creating a caramelized crust.
½ Tsp Onion Powder: A subtle savory touch that deepens the flavor of the glaze.
½ Tsp Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice notes to the glaze.
½ Tsp Ground Nutmeg: Contributes a slightly nutty, aromatic depth to the glaze.
¼ Tsp Ground Ginger: Offers a hint of zesty spice to balance the sweetness.
¼ Tsp Ground Cloves: Provides bold, warm, and slightly sweet undertones.
¼ Tsp Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly earthy flavor to round out the glaze.
⅓ Cup Water (or drippings from the baked ham): Used to create the final serving glaze, enhancing the flavors with a hint of the ham’s natural juices.

HONEY BAKED HAM WILL BE A HOLIDAY FAVORITE:

It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that everyone in my family loves—it’s like a holiday tradition on a plate!
The caramelized glaze gives it a gorgeous, golden finish that makes it feel so special, but it’s still easy to make without stress.
The leftovers are just as delicious as the first serving, making it a crowd-pleaser for dinner and sandwiches the next day!

HOW TO PREPARE SWEET HONEY-BAKED HAM?

Time needed: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Massage the Honey Mustard:

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 3 tablespoons of honey, and 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Massage the honey-mustard mixture generously into the ham, ensuring it gets between each slice. This will infuse flavor throughout the ham.
Set Up the Baking Dish:

Place the ham on a wire rack over a baking dish. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the dish to create steam and keep the ham moist. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake the Ham:

Bake the ham in the preheated oven for about 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C).
Coat with the Sugar-Spice Mixture:

In a medium bowl, combine ¾ cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon paprika. Remove the ham from the oven and roll it in half of the sugar-spice mixture, ensuring an even coating.
Caramelize the Coating:

Place the coated ham back in the oven at 425°F (218°C) for 10-15 minutes to caramelize the sugar-spice mixture, or use a kitchen torch to melt and harden the glaze directly on the ham. Be careful not to overbake the ham it should not go over 140 degrees or it will dry out.
Make the Finishing Glaze:

In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar-spice mixture with ⅓ cup water (or ham drippings). Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens into a syrupy glaze.
Serve and Enjoy:

Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes after baking. Serve with the warm finishing glaze drizzled on top or on the side. Enjoy!

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What’s the purpose of the water in the baking dish?

The water keeps the ham moist while it bakes and prevents it from drying out.

How do I know when the ham is fully heated?

Use a meat thermometer; it’s ready when the internal temperature reaches 125°F.

Why roll the ham in the sugar and spice mixture?

This step creates a caramelized, flavorful crust that’s the hallmark of a holiday ham.

How do I prevent the ham from drying out?

Cover it tightly with foil during baking and make sure to add water to the pan.

Why boil the remaining sugar and spice mixture?

Boiling creates a smooth, flavorful glaze that can be used for serving.

Do I need a wire rack in the baking dish?

It helps the ham cook evenly, but you can place it directly in the dish if needed.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE PREPARED IN THE CROCKPOT?

Yes, you can prepare this recipe in a crockpot for a hands-off cooking option! Place the ham in the crockpot with 1 cup of water at the bottom, and massage the honey mustard mixture between the slices. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 125°F. Once done, carefully remove the ham and roll it in half of the sugar and spice mixture. For the glaze, boil the remaining sugar mixture with ⅓ cup of water or drippings from the crockpot and brush it over the ham before serving. Using the crockpot ensures the ham stays moist and flavorful while freeing up oven space for other dishes.

HOLIDAY HONEY SPIRAL HAM RECIPE ADD-INS AND VARIATIONS:

Honey: I sometimes substitute maple syrup for honey to add a different sweetness and flavor profile to the glaze.
Dijon Mustard: If I’m out of Dijon, I use yellow mustard for a milder flavor or even spicy brown mustard for a bit more heat.
Brown Sugar: I’ve swapped out brown sugar for coconut sugar for a more natural sweetener, and it still gives a lovely caramelized crust.
Spices: If I don’t have all the spices, I’ve used pumpkin pie spice as a substitute for cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for a quick alternative.
Water: I sometimes use pineapple juice instead of water for the glaze to add a fruity twist and extra flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: To make it gluten-free, I make sure to double-check the mustard and spices I’m using to avoid hidden gluten ingredients.

HOW IS BAKED HOLIDAY HAM LEFTOVERS STORED AND REHEATED?

To store leftover ham, I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and put it in an airtight container in the fridge. When it’s time to reheat, I place the ham in a baking dish with a little water or some of the drippings, cover it with foil, and heat it in the oven at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the ham moist. You can also microwave slices with a damp paper towel over them to help keep it from drying out.

CAN LEFTOVER HONEY HOLIDAY HAM BE FROZEN FOR LATER CONSUMPTION?

To freeze honey ham for later, I first slice it into individual portions or keep it whole depending on your preference. Then, wrap the slices or whole ham tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. I place the wrapped ham in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and label it with the date. When ready to eat, thaw the ham in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven to keep it moist.

LOOKING FOR MORE HOLIDAY SIDE DISH RECIPES? TRY THESE!

Ooey-Gooey Cheesy Bacon Brussels Sprouts: This dish is all about crispy Brussels sprouts coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with smoky bacon.

Garlic and Cream Cheese Easy Red Potato Mash: With tender red potatoes blended into a velvety mash, infused with garlic and the tangy creaminess of cream cheese, it’s comfort food at its best.

Easy Garlic-Infused Sautéed Green Beans: Perfectly crisp and seasoned with garlic, these green beans will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds.

Print Recipe