Baked Ham with Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze

Prep 15 min
Total 2 hr 40 min
Servings 12

A gorgeous, juicy ham is the centerpiece of many holiday tables, and we think that this simple (and simply stunning, when you taste it) recipe should be the next one you try. It starts with a pre-cooked ham (which you can learn more about in our handy article that covers all the details of how to cook a ham) and from there, an easy glaze does the work of adding flavor and a glossy appearance. Sweet-on-sweet glazes were more popular in the past, but this updated-yet-accessible version strikes an ideal balance between sweet and acidic, the perfect complements to naturally salty ham. The hardest part about this six-ingredient recipe? Waiting to carve yourself a succulent slice—after all, a good host lets their guests go first.

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated December 6, 2019

Ingredients

6- to 8-pound fully cooked smoked bone-in gluten-free ham
1

cup packed brown sugar
2

tablespoons balsamic or cider vinegar
1/2

teaspoon ground mustard
Orange slices, if desired
Maraschino cherries, if desired

Steps

1

Heat oven to 325°F. Place ham, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of ham and does not touch bone or rest in fat. Cover loosely and bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes or until thermometer reads 135°F (13 to 17 minutes per pound).
2

About 20 minutes before ham is done, remove from oven. Pour drippings from pan. Remove any skin from ham. Mix brown sugar, vinegar and mustard; pat or brush on ham. Bake uncovered 20 minutes longer.
3

Cover ham loosely and let stand about 10 minutes or until thermometer reads 140°F. Garnish with orange slices and cherries.

While the ham stands for 10 minutes, the temperature will continue to rise about 5°. You'll notice that the ham will be easier to carve as the juices set up.
Although this ham is delicious on its own, you may want to serve it with honey mustard, horseradish sauce, applesauce or a fruit chutney.
Cooking Gluten Free? Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is gluten free. Products and ingredient sources can change.