Introduction

Maple Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar is one of those centerpiece dishes that instantly sets the mood for celebration. Juicy, tender ham is baked to perfection and coated with a sticky-sweet glaze made of maple syrup, brown sugar, and warm spices — giving every slice an irresistible caramelized crust. The aroma alone will fill your kitchen with anticipation!

Whether it’s Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, Easter brunch, or a festive family gathering, this stunning ham is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, yet feels gourmet and indulgent — the perfect balance of sweet and savory, classic and comforting.

Why I Love This Recipe

Effortless elegance — simple ingredients deliver a show-stopping result
The glaze caramelizes into a crackly, sweet crust you’ll crave forever!
Creates wonderful leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, casseroles & more
Beautiful as a table centerpiece — picture-perfect for special moments
Oven does most of the work, giving you time to prepare sides

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Perfect recipe for hosts who want maximum flavor with minimal stress
Exciting take on traditional ham with a rich maple twist
Feels luxurious but is budget-friendly, feeding many people at once
Great customizable flavor — easily adaptable to taste preferences

Recipe Summary

Category	Details
Course	Main Dish / Holiday Entrée
Cuisine	American
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	2–3 hours (depends on size of ham)
Total Time	2.5–3.5 hours
Servings	10–14 servings
Calories	~350–420 per serving (varies by ham type)

Ingredients

For the Ham:

1 fully cooked, bone-in ham (8–10 lbs / 3.5–4.5 kg)
Whole cloves (optional for studding)
½ cup water or apple juice (for roasting pan)

Maple Brown Sugar Glaze:

1 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or orange juice
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
2 tbsp butter

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
Place ham flat-side down in a roasting pan.
Score the top layer of fat in a diamond pattern.
Optional: Insert a whole clove into each diamond intersection for aroma.

Step 2: Bake the Ham (First Bake)

Add water or apple juice to the bottom of the pan.
Cover with foil and bake:
✅ 15 minutes per pound

Step 3: Make the Glaze

Heat maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, cinnamon & butter in a saucepan.
Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Glaze & Caramelize

Remove foil during final 30–45 minutes.
Brush ham generously with glaze every 10–15 minutes.
Allow glaze to bubble and caramelize.

Step 5: Rest & Serve

Remove from oven and rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Drizzle extra glaze over the slices.

How to Serve

Serve warm, sliced into generous portions. Perfect pairings include:

Scalloped or mashed potatoes
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Honey-glazed carrots
Dinner rolls or cornbread
Cranberry sauce or pineapple slices

This ham shines at holiday meals and family gatherings!

Recipe Tips

Don’t skip scoring — helps glaze seep into the ham for deeper flavor.
Monitor glaze closely in final minutes — sugars can burn if overheated.
Use a meat thermometer: internal temp should reach 140°F (60°C).
Add a splash more liquid if pan dries out during baking.

Variations to Try

Version	What to Change
Citrus-Maple Ham	Add 1 tbsp orange zest + replace water with orange juice
Spicy-Sweet Ham	Add red pepper flakes or a little hot honey
Pineapple Glazed Ham	Add crushed pineapple to glaze & bake with pineapple rings
Honey Ham	Swap maple syrup for honey; keep brown sugar
Bourbon Maple Ham	Add 2–3 tbsp bourbon to glaze for bold depth

Freezing & Storage Guide

Storage Method	How Long	Notes
Refrigerate leftovers	3–5 days	Store airtight; keep extra glaze for reheating
Freeze slices	1–2 months	Wrap tightly; great for sandwiches
Freeze ham bone	2–3 months	Perfect for soups & stews later

Special Equipment Needed

Roasting pan with rack (optional but recommended)
Pastry brush for glazing
Sharp carving knife
Meat thermometer

FAQ

Q1: Can I use a spiral ham?
✔ Yes! Just reduce glaze time — spiral hams cook faster and can dry out.

Q2: Can I prepare this ahead?
Yes, bake ahead and reheat covered with foil + fresh glaze before serving.

Q3: Can I use boneless ham?
Yes, reduce baking time slightly — boneless cooks faster.

Q4: Can this be made in a slow cooker?
Yes! Heat on low 4–6 hours, glaze afterward under broiler to caramelize.

Conclusion

Maple Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar is a stunning holiday centerpiece that brings family together around the table. With its sweet, caramelized glaze and savory, juicy meat, it’s a delicious combination that’s guaranteed to earn compliments and second helpings. The best part? It’s incredibly simple to make — even for beginner cooks!