This Christmas Ham is loaded with flavor and is easy to make. This bone-in ham is cooked in a honey glaze for amazing flavor.

Whole ham on a platter
Want to save this?

Get my Christmas Cookbook Bundle 75%

We love making holiday ham for Christmas brunch, Thanksgiving and Easter. We always roast a turkey with the baked ham for sandwiches and leftovers.

If you are looking for a ham to make for Christmas dinner, this honey glazed ham is the one to make. This simple ingredient ham recipe bakes easily on a roasting rack for a show stopping main dish.

Why We Love This Recipe

This Christmas Ham is bakes easily and is always on the menu because of how delicious it is.

The brown sugar glaze is easy to make and pairs perfectly with your favorite side dish. This classic ham recipe is just what you need for your centerpiece at your Christmas dinner.

Ingredients

Ham, butter, brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon cloves, garlic

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Glaze Variations Ideas

You can easily change the ingredients to the glaze recipe. Here are some delicious variations:

  • Sugar Substitutes – The brown sugar can easily be substituted with maple syrup, honey, or raw sugar. It may change the consistency so make changes to what you prefer. You can even add in orange juice for a delicious sweet taste.
  • Mustard – We love the way that the Dijon Mustard taste in this recipe. But you can easily change to what you prefer.
  • Seasoning – Feel free to change or omit seasoning to what you prefer. You can even use whole cloves instead of ground cloves.
  • Additions – You can even bake the ham with pineapple rings, cherries, or apricot.

How To Cook Christmas Ham

  • Step 1 – Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the ham rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours to come to temperature before baking.  
Ham placed on a Roasting Pan with water

Step 2 – Prepare Ham – Remove the ham from its package and pat it dry with paper towels. Score the ham by cutting into the rind of the ham. Cut in a diamond pattern making sure that the cuts are approximately 1/4-1/2″ deep. 

A piece of foil covered the roasting pan

Step 3 – Pour Water on ham – Place the ham on a roasting pan. Then pour approximately ¼ cup of water all over the top of it.  Loosely cover the ham with foil to keep it from drying out

  • Step 4 – Bake Ham – Bake for 2 – 2 ½ hours until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees. Check temperature in the thickest part of the ham.

How to Make Brown Sugar Glaze

  • Step 5 – Heat Butter – While the ham is baking, heat the butter in a small saucepan. Melt over medium high heat until the butter is browned.  
Combining the glaze ingredients in a saucepan with a wooden spoon

Step 6 – Add in Glaze Ingredients – Then whisk in the brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon and ground cloves.  Cook and whisk for 2-3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. 

Roasted Ham in a pan

Step 7 – Baste Ham – Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees. Remove the foil from the ham and baste the ham with approximately ⅓ of the basting mixture. 

  • Step 8 – Continue Cooking – Cook it for an additional 20 minutes and baste the ham 2 more times. During this cooking time until the ham reaches an interval temperature of 135 degrees F.
  • Step 9 – Serve and Enjoy – Remove the ham oven. Then let the ham rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (tented loosely with foil). Then carefully move the ham to a large cutting board. Then carve the ham into large slices and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

  • Prepare Ham – Before baking ham we recommend allowing it to come to room temperature. Remove from the fridge and set it out on the counter for about 2 hours.
  • Cut Ham – For a worthy presentation, we recommend cutting into rind about 1/4-inch deep.
  • Cooking Ham – When cooking ham, cover with aluminum foil after pouring water. This creates the best juices to make a delicious gravy. Baste ham after it has reached an internal temperature of 125 degrees.
  • Resting Ham – Allow ham to rest for about 15 minutes prior to slicing. This allows for the ham to contain the moisture for the juiciest ham.
  • Other Cooking Methods – You can easily cook this spiral cut ham in the slow cooker or instant pot.
Whole ham on a platter

What to Serve with Christmas Ham Recipe?

There are many sides dishes that we serve with our holiday ham. Choose your favorite Christmas sides for a complete holiday meal idea.

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Scalloped Potatoes
  • Salads
  • Cheese Tray
  • Soup
  • Green Beans

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Know When Ham is Heated

We used an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure that the ham was fully heated through. Make sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham.

What is the Best Type of Ham to use?

In this recipe we chose a bone-in butt ham. You can also choose a shank cut ham. It is up to you the type of ham that you choose. We recommend choosing a high quality ham and to read the labels.
We find that the Bone-in ham is more flavorful. Also you can use that ham bone to make many different recipes.
The hams that you buy at the grocery are usually already cooked and it will be clearly marked. Reading labels allows you to choose a ham that is not loaded with water.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Ham

Store you leftover ham in a zip lock bag or a air tight container. The ham will stay fresh in the fridge for about 1 week.
Reheat the leftovers to make a ham sandwich or a ham and egg casserole. Leftover ham is delicious leftover and can be used in many different ways.

Can you Freeze Leftover Ham?

Yes, you can freeze leftover ham. Place the leftover ham in a freezer safe container and store in the freezer. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months if stored properly.

Sliced Ham on a platter

More Easy Ham Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this Christmas Ham Dinner, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Christmas Ham

5 from 1 vote
This Christmas Ham is loaded with flavor and is easy to make. This bone-in ham is cooked in a honey glaze for amazing flavor.
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Let Rest 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 1378

Ingredients

  • 1 Bone In Ham Butt half- approximately 8-10 pounds
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 2 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the ham rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours to come to temperature before baking.
  • Remove the ham from its package and pat it dry with paper towels. Score the ham by cutting into the rind of the ham in a diamond pattern making sure that the cuts are approximately 1/4-1/2″ deep.
  • Place the ham on a roasting pan and pour approximately ¼ cup of water all over the top of it.  Loosely cover the ham with foil to keep it from drying out.
  • Bake for 2 – 2 ½ hours until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees F in the thickest part of the ham.
  • While the ham is baking, heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium high heat until the butter is browned.
  • Then whisk in the brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon and ground cloves.  Cook and whisk for 2-3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved.
  • Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Remove the glaze from the heat and let it cool slightly.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.  Remove the foil from the ham and baste the ham with approximately ⅓ of the basting mixture.  Cook it for an additional 20 minutes and baste the ham 2 more times during this cooking time until the ham reaches an interval temperature of 135 degrees F.
  • Remove the ham and let the ham rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (tented loosely with foil). Then carefully move the ham to a large cutting board. Then carve the ham into large slices and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

We used an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure that the ham was fully heated through. Make sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 1378kcal, Carbohydrates 45g, Protein 98g, Fat 88g, Saturated Fat 34g, Polyunsaturated Fat 9g, Monounsaturated Fat 39g, Trans Fat 0.5g, Cholesterol 312mg, Sodium 5526mg, Potassium 1363mg, Fiber 0.3g, Sugar 44g, Vitamin A 358IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 67mg, Iron 4mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try these other recipes

About the Author

Hi! We are Carrie and Christina! Welcome to Christmas on a Dime!

We  are sisters and love everything about Christmas. We are here to help you celebrate the magic of Christmas all year long!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating