Whether it’s Easter dinner or another special family gathering, this brown sugar glazed ham with cloves will be enjoyed by all! A smoky ham is pierced with whole cloves in a diamond pattern, then baked in the oven.
The brown sugar glaze is the secret touch that compliments the savory meat so well. It truly makes this meal a memorable one.
And the truth is… this recipe is so easy, it’s perfect for beginners but tastes like it was made by a chef!
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Why Do We Eat Ham on Easter?
If your family is like mine, a beautiful ham will grace your table this Easter. But have you ever wondered why eating ham is a tradition on Easter Sunday?
In many parts of the world, lamb is traditional Easter fare, with roots stemming from the sacrificial lamb of the Jewish Passover feast. The Christian bible refers to Jesus as the lamb of God, and Easter Sunday celebrates His resurrection after death on the cross. It seems that lamb is a much more symbolic meal for Easter, so how did Easter ham become the favorite in America?
The reason behind this favorite entree is a practical one. Before we had refrigeration and freezing techniques, pigs were slaughtered in the fall and set to cure in the winter. The cold temperatures allowed the pork to be properly prepared without going bad. The meat was traditionally ready in the spring.
The taste of the meat was also better. Pigs slaughtered in the fall were fed apples and other foods meant to improve the meat’s taste. The season-long curing time also benefitted the taste of the end product. Since pork was usually less costly than lamb, the better-tasting, less expensive ham won out.
What is a Ham Glaze?
A glaze is a topping applied to food like ham to enhance its flavor and appearance. Ham glazes can vary from savory to sweet, but they’re always thick. For this reason, glaze is usually applied with a pastry brush or poured from a spouted cup.
There are a variety of ways to make glaze. Many recipes, like the one I use, incorporate brown sugar with other add-ins to produce a sweet shell that compliments the smoky ham. Other glaze recipes utilize jams, preserves, fruits, or juices for the same effect.
And it’s not just hams that deserve glaze. Pork chops, chicken, and even tofu are other proteins that are often glazed. Vegetable dishes, especially in the fall, are known to be glazed with maple syrup. And of course, baked goods such as doughnuts and quick breads, are made pretty and tasty with a powdered sugar glaze.
How Do I Glaze A Ham?
Before adding glaze, the ham should be scored. Scoring a ham is creating shallow incisions along the surface of the meat. This allows the delicious flavors from the glaze to seep in.
I like to use a diamond scoring pattern, as shown in the directions below. I also press whole cloves into each corner and the center of each diamond.
Glaze should be applied during the last half hour of the baking time. If it’s applied too early, it will burn. This is true even when the ham is baked at a low temperature.
Spread the glaze evenly over the surface of the ham with a pastry brush or spoon. I like to baste it in ten minute intervals after that, using a turkey baster. At the end of the cooking time, I baste it again then let it rest before carving.
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Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
Score ham by making shallow cuts (about 1/3 inch) diagonally across the meat at 1-inch intervals. Turn the ham and make cuts in the other direction, forming diamond shapes.
- Press the tip of a whole clove into the corners and center of each diamond.
- Lay ham cut side down in a roasting pan. Bake ham, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 15 minutes per pound.
- While the ham is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, water, and dry mustard. Cover and set aside.
- Thirty minutes before the ham is ready, brush the surface with glaze. Continue to bake, uncovered, for ten minutes.
- Baste the ham every ten minutes until cooking time is done. Baste once again when ham is done, then allow it to rest before carving.
What Do I Serve with Brown Sugar Glazed Ham?
- Easy Cheesy Potatoes go so well with this ham recipe!
- The holidays wouldn’t be holidays without the classic Corn Casserole
- Be sure to save the ham bone and leftovers for Split Pea Soup
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with Cloves
Course: Main Dishes, PorkDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes15 min
per poundA smoky ham is pierced with whole cloves in a diamond pattern, then baked in the oven. The brown sugar glaze is the secret finishing touch that compliments the savory meat so well!
Ingredients
1 ham
Whole cloves
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Score ham by making shallow cuts (about 1/3 inch) diagonally across the meat at 1-inch intervals. Turn the ham and make cuts in the other direction, forming diamond shapes.
- Press the tip of a whole clove into the corners and center of each diamond.
- Lay ham cut side down in a roasting pan. Bake ham, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 15 minutes per pound.
- While the ham is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, water, and dry mustard. Cover and set aside.
- Thirty minutes before the ham is ready, brush the surface with glaze. Continue to bake, uncovered, for ten minutes.
- Baste the ham every ten minutes until cooking time is done. Baste once again when ham is done, then allow it to rest before carving.
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