Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ham with Maple and Warm Spices

Prep: 10 minCook: 1 hr 30 min20 servingsmedium
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ham with Maple and Warm Spices

A beautifully caramelized bone-in ham featuring a glossy glaze that balances brown sugar sweetness with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The maple syrup adds depth while ground mustard provides subtle heat. Perfect for holiday gatherings, special dinners, or when feeding a crowd. This version delivers restaurant-quality results with pantry staples, creating an impressive centerpiece that's surprisingly simple to execute. The glaze forms a gorgeous lacquered coating that seals in moisture while adding layers of flavor.

Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-Free

Ingredients

20 servings
  • 6 lb fully cooked smoked bone-in gluten-free ham
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
    coconut sugar1:1ketopaleo

    slight flavor difference

    Full guide →
  • ⅓ cup maple-flavored gluten-free syrup
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 dash ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat oven to 325°F and line shallow roasting pan with foil

  2. 2

    Place ham cut side down on rack in pan

  3. 3

    Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip reaches thickest part without touching bone

  4. 4

    Bake uncovered until thermometer reads 135°F to 140°F

  5. 5

    Mix brown sugar, maple syrup, and all spices in small bowl

  6. 6

    Brush glaze over ham during last 30 minutes of baking

  7. 7

    Cover ham loosely with foil and let stand for easier carving

Tips

Tip 1

Score ham in diamond pattern before glazing for better flavor penetration and attractive presentation

Tip 2

Reserve some glaze for serving alongside carved ham to boost flavor

Tip 3

Use instant-read thermometer to double-check temperature in multiple spots

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftover ham up to 4 days wrapped tightly

Make Ahead

Glaze can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated

Serve With

Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving for easier slicing

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Use meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and drying out ham

Watch

Apply glaze only during last 30 minutes to prevent burning

Substitutions

bone-in ham→
spiral-cut hamsame weightconvenience

reduce cook time slightly

brown sugar→
coconut sugar1:1ketopaleo

slight flavor difference

Full guide →
maple syrup→
honey1:1budget

different sweetness profile

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use a different type of ham?

Yes, spiral-cut or boneless hams work well but may require shorter cooking times. Adjust based on package directions.

What if I don't have maple syrup?

Honey, corn syrup, or even apple jelly work as substitutes with slight flavor variations.

How long will leftover ham keep?

Properly stored leftover ham stays fresh in refrigerator 3-4 days or can be frozen up to 2 months.