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An elegant spread of Christmas food, perfect for festive catering ideas.

Maple-Pecan Glazed Holiday Ham

This festive holiday ham is coated in a sweet and savory maple-pecan glaze, perfect for a special occasion meal. The tender ham pairs wonderfully with the crunchy, caramelized topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ham
  • 8-10 lbs bone-in cooked ham
Glaze
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Small saucepan
  • Roasting pan
  • Paring knife
  • Basting brush
  • Meat thermometer (optional)
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep.
Making the Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and apple cider vinegar.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat and stir in the chopped pecans.
Baking and Glazing
  1. Place the ham, cut side down, in a large roasting pan.
  2. Brush about half of the maple-pecan glaze generously over the ham.
  3. Bake for 1.5-2 hours, basting with the remaining glaze every 20-30 minutes, until the ham is heated through and caramelized.
Resting and Serving
  1. Remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Slice and serve your delicious Maple-Pecan Glazed Holiday Ham.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can stud the ham with whole cloves before scoring. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) for a fully heated ham. The resting period is crucial for juicy results.