A nice baked ham recipe....try this !
If you are hosting this holiday or catering to a large gathering for any occasion, I strongly suggest serving a homemade honey baked ham. The convenience of a ham that is already fully cooked and sliced is hard to surpass.
Additionally, you can easily personalize it with a honey butter rub and layers of spiced sugar that caramelize to form a crunchy savory-spicy crust. Here’s how to prepare a honey baked ham that not only tastes superior but is also more economical than the one available at the store.
Why You Will Appreciate It
The honey butter is exquisite. The sweet butter seeps into the spiral-sliced ham, enhancing the flavor of the meat and ensuring it remains moist.
It features a delightful sweet, crunchy crust. The ham is coated in a spiced sugar blend and broiled in stages until it reaches the perfect level of crunchiness.
What Distinguishes City Ham from Country Ham?
City ham: This type is cured with a brine and may undergo smoking. City hams are generally more moist and less salty compared to country hams. They are available fully cooked, and you can select between bone-in or boneless, as well as spiral-sliced or whole hams. This is the variety typically served on holiday tables, and it is the one this recipe specifies.
Country ham: Cured with a dry rub, these hams are hung to dry and aged for a minimum of six months. They possess a drier texture and a saltier taste than city ham. Country hams are most commonly found in slices, although whole, unsliced country hams can also be purchased. They are usually sold uncooked, necessitating cooking before serving. This is a Southern delicacy often enjoyed with buttermilk biscuits and used to prepare red-eye gravy.
What to Consider When Purchasing Ham
When selecting a city ham, pay attention to a few important terms on the label.
Bone-in or boneless: I always prefer a bone-in ham due to the additional flavor it imparts — plus, I enjoy using the bone to flavor split pea soup after the holidays.
No unnecessary ingredients: The ingredient list should be concise, ideally consisting solely of ham. Avoid hams with added water or juices, as these can dilute the flavor.
Whole or spiral-cut:
A whole, uncut ham is less prone to drying out in the oven; however, it can be challenging to slice it evenly. Spiral-cut hams are conveniently pre-sliced, requiring only the trimming away from the bone.
Shank end or butt end: Whole hams can weigh as much as 15 pounds, which is why they are typically divided into two sections and sold separately. This explains the presence of half hams in the market. Butt end hams are leaner, but the bones can be difficult to navigate when slicing. In contrast, shank end hams are slightly fattier, featuring just one straight bone to work around. Both butt and shank end hams are suitable for this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ham should I purchase? The amount depends on whether you select a bone-in or boneless ham:
Bone-in ham: Purchase 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person.
Boneless ham: Purchase 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person.
What is the optimal temperature for baking a ham? It is recommended to bake at a low temperature of 275°F to maintain moisture.
How long should a ham be baked? Since city hams are pre-cooked, the serving temperature is a matter of personal preference. The ham is already cooked, but if you wish to serve it warm, heat it until it reaches an internal temperature of 120°F to 140°F.
275°F oven: Bake for approximately 20 minutes per pound (totaling 2 to 2 1/2 hours).
350°F oven: If you need to heat the ham more rapidly, you can bake it at 350°F for about 10 minutes per pound (totaling 1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Should I glaze the ham before or after baking? The honey butter and spiced sugar coating should be applied once the ham reaches an internal temperature of 120°F if serving warm, or 30 minutes prior to serving if you prefer room temperature.
Is it acceptable to serve ham at room temperature? Yes, you can serve the ham at room temperature, as recommended by that renowned ham shop. To serve the ham at room temperature, take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to warm slightly.
Two Steps for Achieving the Ideal Crunchy Honey Baked Crust
Make honey butter. Mix equal amounts of softened unsalted butter and honey, adding a pinch of salt. Apply the honey butter generously over the exterior of the ham. While a spatula can be utilized, using clean hands is the most effective method for spreading the butter.
Broil layers of spiced sugar. Combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, paprika, ground ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt. Generously apply approximately one-third of the spiced sugar to the ham, pressing it into the honey butter. Broil until the sugar melts and bubbles. Repeat the process of layering the spiced sugar and broiling two additional times. The final broiling may require a slightly longer duration — between 1 1/2 to 2 minutes — to ensure all the sugar is melted. Once done, remove the ham from the oven and allow the sugary coating to cool and crisp before slicing.
What to Accompany Honey Baked Ham
- Glazed Carrots
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus
- Buttery Parker House Rolls
- Triple Pea Salad with Radishes and Cheddar
Recipe Notes
Preparation in advance: The honey butter and spiced sugar can be prepared up to one week prior. Keep the honey butter in the refrigerator, but allow it to reach room temperature before using it in this recipe. Store the spiced sugar in an airtight container at room temperature.
Storage: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
OTHER RECIPES
BAKED HAM RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- traditional bone-in butt half ham
- 1 can pineapples in heavy syrup
- dark brown sugar (to taste)
- nutmeg
- cinnamon
- 6oz ginger ale
- toothpicks
- baking pan
BAKED HAM RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Rinse Ham and place in baking pan.
Pour ginger ale over ham.
Pin Pineapples to ham with toothpicks. (you will probably not use them all)
Mix brown sugar with heavy syrup from can of pineapples and pour over the ham.
Sprinkle ham with nutmeg and cinnamon (about a Tbs each).
Use a spoon to evenly mix the mixture in the bottom of the pan.
Cover with foil and bake.
note: packaging on ham should have baking instructions.
note: packaging on ham should have baking instructions.
Normally baking 25min for each pound at 325.
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