If you're looking for a tried-and-true recipe that guarantees a moist, flavorful, and beautifully presented centerpiece for your holiday table, whether it's Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter, you've found it! This recipe uses a fully cooked ham, saving you time, and features a decadent, aromatic glaze based on the classic Falls Brand seasoning profile.
This ham recipe is truly a "holiday winner" and will make you the hero of the meal! Shop Holiday Hams here: https://meatandpotatoco.com/collections/featured
📝 Key Recipe Overview
- Primary Meat: Fully Cooked Pit Ham (Falls Brand recommended)
- Glaze Flavor: Sweet, Fruity (Apricot & Peach), Aromatic
- Cuisine: Classic American / Holiday
- Cook Time: Approx. 15-18 minutes per pound
- Oven Temp: 325∘F
🛒 Ingredients
For the Ham:
- 1 Fully Cooked, Boneless Pit Ham (or your preferred cut)
- Pineapple Slices (canned rings, drained)
- Maraschino Cherries (for garnish)
For the Falls Brand Inspired Glaze:
- Apricot Marmalade
- Peach Nectar
- Brown Sugar
- Lemon Juice (a dash for brightness)
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Cornstarch (for slurry/thickening)
🍳 Instructions: Making the Perfect Holiday Ham
1. Prepare the Glaze
- In a saucepan over low heat, combine the apricot marmalade, peach nectar, brown sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a small amount of cold water.
- Add the slurry to the glaze and stir until it thickens to a desired, syrupy consistency. Keep warm.
2. Prep the Ham
- Unwrap the fully cooked ham.
- Using a sharp knife, score the ham deeply across the top in a diamond pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate the meat.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan.
3. Glaze and Cook
- Apply a generous amount of the warm glaze evenly over the scored ham.
- Place the ham in an oven preheated to 325∘F.
- Cooking Time: The ham only needs to be heated through, requiring approximately 15 to 18 minutes per pound.
- Re-Glaze: Continue to baste or spoon the glaze over the ham 2-3 times during the final hour of cooking to build a thick, glossy crust.
4. Decorate and Serve
- About 30 minutes before the ham is finished, or after the final glaze has been applied, decorate the ham by securing pineapple rings and placing a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring (using toothpicks if needed).
- The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140∘F.
- Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving with extra glaze.
💡 Chef's Notes & Pro Tips
- Use Fully Cooked Ham: Using a fully cooked ham significantly simplifies the process. Focus on reheating and glazing, not cooking from raw.
- Scoring is Key: Scoring the ham not only looks professional but is essential for allowing the glaze to seep into the meat, locking in moisture and flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: This ham pairs perfectly with traditional sides like scalloped potatoes, asparagus, and a simple green salad.
- Leftovers: Ham leftovers are excellent for sandwiches, split pea soup, or ham and egg breakfast dishes!