Slow Baked Ham with Honey Maple Glaze: Juicy, Tender & Perfect for Holidays

When it comes to centerpiece dishes that command attention and deliver unforgettable flavor, nothing quite compares to slow baked ham with honey maple glaze. This tender oven baked ham combines the natural richness of quality meat with a sweet, caramelized coating that glistens beautifully on your holiday table. Whether you’re planning your Easter ham recipe or preparing a festive dinner ham for Christmas, this easy glazed ham recipe transforms a simple cut of meat into something truly spectacular.

Why This Honey Glazed Baked Ham Is a Holiday Essential

The magic of this maple glazed ham recipe lies in the slow cooking process that keeps every slice incredibly moist while the honey butter glaze creates a stunning caramelized exterior. Unlike rushed cooking methods that can dry out the meat, this slow cooked holiday ham technique ensures fork-tender results every time. The combination of pure maple syrup and honey in the glaze delivers a perfect balance of sweetness that complements rather than overwhelms the savory ham, making it a crowd-pleaser for both adults and children alike.

Choosing the Right Ham for Your Baked Ham with Sweet Glaze

Success starts with selecting the proper ham. For this recipe, a bone-in spiral-cut ham works beautifully because the pre-slicing allows the maple brown sugar glaze to penetrate between the slices, infusing flavor throughout. Look for a ham labeled “fully cooked” or “ready to eat,” which means you’re simply heating and glazing rather than cooking from raw. A seven to nine-pound ham serves approximately 12 to 16 people, making it ideal for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Most supermarket hams are already brined or cured, which contributes to their pink color and seasoned flavor. While some cooks prefer to start with an unglazed ham, you can absolutely use a pre-glazed variety and simply enhance it with this superior honey maple coating.

The Secret to Perfect Maple Brown Sugar Glaze

What elevates this from good to extraordinary is the carefully balanced glaze that combines multiple layers of sweetness and richness. The pure maple syrup provides depth and complexity that artificial maple flavor simply cannot match, while honey adds floral notes and helps create that gorgeous glossy finish. Brown sugar contributes moisture and additional caramelization, and a touch of butter ensures the glaze adheres beautifully to the ham’s surface while adding luxurious richness.

Recipe: Slow Baked Ham with Honey Maple Glaze

Ingredients

For the Ham:

• 1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (7-9 pounds), fully cooked
• 1 cup water or apple juice

For the Honey Maple Glaze:

• ¾ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Orange slices
• Whole cloves for studding

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Remove your ham from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This ensures more even heating throughout. Preheat your oven to 275°F, which is the ideal temperature for creating a tender oven baked ham. Line a large roasting pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil for easier cleanup, then place a roasting rack inside the pan.

Unwrap the ham and discard any plastic covering or flavor packets. If your ham came with a glaze packet, you can discard it since you’ll be making a far superior honey butter glaze from scratch. Place the ham cut-side down on the rack, which helps retain moisture. Pour the water or apple juice into the bottom of the pan—this creates steam that keeps the ham moist during the slow cooking process.

Step 2: Initial Baking

Cover the entire roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that traps moisture. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes per pound, which translates to about 70 to 90 minutes for a seven to nine-pound ham. This initial slow cooking phase is what transforms your ham into that coveted tender, juicy texture that makes this slow cooked holiday ham so memorable.

Step 3: Create the Glaze

While the ham undergoes its initial baking, prepare your honey maple coating. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, and butter. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely, creating a smooth mixture. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. The mustard adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and reduces by about one-quarter. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon when ready. Remove from heat and set aside. You’ll notice the kitchen filling with an intoxicating aroma that hints at the deliciousness to come.

Step 4: Glaze and Caramelize

After the initial baking time, carefully remove the foil from the ham. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F. Using a basting brush, generously coat the entire surface of the ham with approximately half of your maple brown sugar glaze, making sure to get the mixture between the spiral slices where possible.

Return the uncovered ham to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove and apply another generous coating of glaze. Repeat this process two more times, basting every 15 minutes, until you’ve used all the glaze and the ham develops a beautiful, deeply caramelized exterior. The total glazing time will be about 45 to 60 minutes. Watch carefully during the final glazing to prevent burning—the sugars can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt quickly.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once your honey glazed baked ham achieves a stunning mahogany color with a glossy, caramelized surface, remove it from the oven. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is moist and flavorful.

Transfer the ham to a cutting board or serving platter. If desired, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices for a beautiful presentation that’s worthy of your festive dinner ham centerpiece.

Expert Tips for the Best Easy Glazed Ham Recipe

Temperature control is crucial for achieving the perfect texture. The low initial temperature of 275°F ensures the ham heats through gently without drying out, while the higher finishing temperature of 375°F caramelizes the glaze without overcooking the meat. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F, which is the USDA recommendation for reheating fully cooked ham.

Don’t rush the glazing process. Multiple thin coats build up layers of flavor and create that spectacular lacquered appearance that makes this baked ham with sweet glaze so visually impressive. Each application should have time to set slightly before adding the next layer.

If your glaze starts to darken too quickly, tent the ham loosely with foil to prevent burning while the interior continues warming. You can also position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven if your particular oven runs hot.

Making This Maple Glazed Ham Recipe Ahead

One of the beauties of this slow cooked holiday ham is its flexibility for advance preparation. You can make the honey butter glaze up to three days ahead and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop before using, adding a tablespoon of water if needed to restore its consistency.

The ham itself can be glazed and baked up to one day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator, then reheat gently in a 275°F oven, covered with foil, until warmed through. This approach is particularly helpful when preparing for large holiday gatherings where oven space becomes precious.

Serving Suggestions for Your Easter Ham Recipe

This tender oven baked ham pairs beautifully with classic holiday sides. Consider serving it alongside scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, or a fresh spring salad. The sweet maple brown sugar glaze also complements tangy sides like cranberry sauce or pickled vegetables, which provide a pleasant contrast to the ham’s richness.

For breakfast or brunch service, thin slices of leftover ham are exceptional in breakfast sandwiches, quiches, or alongside fluffy scrambled eggs and biscuits.

Maximizing Your Leftover Ham

A bone-in ham provides delicious dividends beyond the initial meal. Cube leftover meat for ham and bean soup, dice it for omelets or fried rice, layer it in grilled cheese sandwiches, or toss it with pasta and peas in a cream sauce. The ham bone itself is invaluable for making rich, flavorful soup stock that forms the base for split pea soup or white bean soup.

Properly stored leftover ham remains fresh in the refrigerator for five to seven days when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or placed in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to two months.

Why This Honey Glazed Baked Ham Deserves Your Holiday Menu

In an age of complicated recipes requiring exotic ingredients and advanced techniques, this easy glazed ham recipe proves that spectacular results can come from straightforward methods and simple, quality ingredients. The slow cooking approach means you can focus on other dishes or spend time with family while the oven does most of the work.

The visual impact of presenting this glistening, caramelized ham at your table creates an instant wow moment that sets the tone for a special meal. The aroma alone brings everyone to the table with anticipation, and that first bite—tender, juicy, with the perfect balance of savory and sweet—delivers on every promise.

The Perfect Centerpiece for Any Celebration

While this slow baked ham with honey maple glaze shines as an Easter ham recipe or Christmas centerpiece, don’t limit it to major holidays. It’s equally appropriate for Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day brunch, graduation celebrations, or any gathering where you want to serve something impressive yet approachable. The recipe scales easily and the ham serves a crowd without requiring constant attention, making it ideal for entertaining.

The beauty of this festive dinner ham lies in its universal appeal. Even picky eaters typically enjoy ham, and the honey maple glaze adds just enough sweetness to please without being cloying. It’s one of those rare dishes that satisfies traditional tastes while still feeling special and celebratory.

Transform your next holiday gathering with this stunning maple glazed ham recipe that combines ease of preparation with spectacular results. Your guests will think you spent hours on this masterpiece, when in reality, the oven and this incredible glaze did most of the work for you.