This is the ham everyone talks about.
A glossy, sticky brown sugar mustard glaze caramelizes over juicy bone-in ham, creating crisp edges, deep flavor, and that signature holiday shine.
Perfect for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Sunday dinner and yes, it’s easier than you think.
table of contents
Why This Ham Wins Every Holiday
✔ Perfect caramelized crust
✔ Juicy, never dry
✔ Foolproof step-by-step method
✔ Make-ahead friendly
✔ Feeds a crowd (25 servings!)
✔ Incredible leftovers
Quick Recipe Snapshot
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Serves: 25
- Course: Dinner / Holiday Main
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8–10 lb bone-in cooked ham
- ½ cup water
Sticky Brown Sugar Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
Foolproof Method
1️⃣ Prep Like a Pro
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
Remove rind (leave fat layer).
Score fat in 1-inch diamond pattern (¼ inch deep).
Place ham in foil-lined roasting pan.
Add water to pan.
Cover tightly and bake 30 minutes.
2️⃣ Make the Glaze Magic
Brown butter until golden.
Stir in:
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Dijon
- Spices
Cook until smooth.
Add garlic and simmer briefly.
Cool until glaze resembles warm honey.
3️⃣ Crank Up the Heat
Increase oven to 425°F (220°C).
Brush ⅓ glaze over ham, getting between cuts.
Bake 15 minutes uncovered.
Repeat glaze + bake process twice more (about 30 minutes total) until deep golden and caramelized.
Optional: Broil 2–5 minutes for extra crisp crust.
4️⃣ Rest & Slice
Rest 10–20 minutes before slicing.
Short-Form Reel Script (High Engagement)
Hook:
“Stop serving dry ham — this glaze changes everything.”
Clip 1: Scoring the ham
Clip 2: Pouring glossy glaze
Clip 3: Close-up caramelized crust
Clip 4: Slicing juicy center
Caption:
“This is THE holiday ham.”
CTA:
“Save this for Easter or Christmas!”
Pro Tips (Holiday-Proof)
✔ Leave ¼ inch fat for juiciness
✔ Score deeply but don’t cut into meat
✔ If glaze thickens → add pan juices
✔ Tent foil if browning too fast
✔ Make glaze 3 days ahead
Serving Ideas
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Roasted carrots
- Garlic green beans
- Scalloped potatoes
- Dinner rolls
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 304 kcal
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 14g
- Fat: 15g
Estimates vary by ham brand.
Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern and place it cut-side down in a roasting pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 1 1/2 hours.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and spices. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Brush the glaze generously over the ham. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 30 minutes, basting occasionally, until caramelized.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham delivers everything you want in a holiday centerpiece:
Juicy meat.
Caramelized crust.
Sticky, flavorful glaze.
It looks impressive. It tastes unforgettable.
And it’s easier than you think.