Description
At its core, a Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham is a bone-in ham that has been slow-cooked and basted with a specialized sauce made from whole cranberries, citrus, and warming spices. Unlike commercial glazes that often rely solely on corn syrup and artificial flavorings, this version uses the natural pectin and acidity of cranberries to create a thick, jam-like coating.
Ingredients
For the Ham:
- 1 whole bone-in ham (about 8–10 lbs)
- Whole cloves (optional, for studding)
For the Cranberry Glaze:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional, for depth)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Place ham in a roasting pan, fat side up.
- Score the surface in a diamond pattern and stud with cloves if desired.
- Make the Cranberry Glaze:
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, and orange zest.
- Simmer over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens (about 10–12 minutes).
- Blend with an immersion blender (optional) for a smoother glaze.
- Bake the Ham:
- Brush ham generously with cranberry glaze.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake, basting every 20–30 minutes.
- Total cooking time: about 15–18 minutes per pound.
- Finish with a Glossy Glaze:
- During the last 30 minutes, remove foil and baste with remaining glaze.
- Bake uncovered until caramelized and glossy.
- Rest & Serve:
- Let ham rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Serve slices with extra cranberry glaze on the side.
Notes
Serving Suggestions Let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing for juicier results. Serve warm with extra glaze on the side for drizzling. This tangy-sweet ham pairs beautifully with classic holiday sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts or butternut squash, scalloped corn, fresh green beans, homemade dinner rolls, or a simple green salad. Garnish slices with fresh orange wedges and cranberries for a festive touch. Enjoy leftovers in sandwiches or salads!
- Prep Time: 20minutes
- Cook Time: 2hours
- Category: Maindish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 400kcal
Keywords: Holiday cranberry ham roast, Christmas glazed ham recipe, Sweet and savory cranberry pork, Baked ham with fruit glaze, Traditional festive ham dinner