Description
Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham makes your holiday table sparkle with festive flavor that comes together faster than you can say “delicious dinner.” Guests will devour this succulent centerpiece, savoring the sweet-tangy glaze that perfectly balances your perfectly roasted ham.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in ham
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 6 whole cloves
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to a precise 325°F and position the rack in the center for even cooking.
- Create elegant cross-hatched diamond patterns across your 8-10 lb ham’s surface using a sharp knife, cutting about ¼ inch deep.
- Combine 2 cups fresh cranberries, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 6 whole cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer your cranberry mixture for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until berries burst and liquid thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Using a silicone pastry brush, generously coat your ham with half of the vibrant cranberry glaze, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Place the ham in the preheated oven and roast for 1 hour, carefully basting with remaining glaze every 20 minutes to build rich flavor layers.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer – your ham is perfectly cooked when it reaches 140°F at its thickest point.
- Remove from oven and let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Scoring the ham creates beautiful presentation and allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Fresh cranberries work best, but frozen can be substituted if needed during off-season months.
- For a lower sugar version, replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative or honey to maintain similar consistency.
- When checking internal temperature, use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham without touching bone for accurate reading.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Ham
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg