Southern Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Baked Ham
Tender, juicy, deeply caramelized—perfect for holidays or Sunday dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked spiral or whole ham (7–10 lb)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon or cloves, ¼ cup pineapple juice, or 1 cup cola (for the traditional Southern cola ham)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ham
- Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) for low-and-slow cooking.
- Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan.
- Pour ½–1 cup water (or cola/pineapple juice if using) into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist.
- Cover tightly with foil.
2. Slow Bake
- Bake for 12–15 minutes per pound, or about 2–2½ hours for a typical 8–9 lb ham.
- The goal is to warm it gently without drying it out.
3. Make the Glaze
Do this during the final 30 minutes of baking.
- In a saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat.
- Stir in 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring until it becomes glossy and syrupy.
- Optional add-ins: splash of cola, pinch of cloves, or a spoonful of pineapple juice.
4. Glaze & Finish
- Once the ham is nearly done, remove the foil.
- Brush the glaze all over the ham, making sure it goes between slices if using spiral-cut.
- Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, basting once or twice, until caramelized and bubbling.
5. Rest & Serve
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
- Spoon any extra pan glaze over the top.
Serving Ideas
- Southern-style biscuits
- Potato salad or scalloped potatoes
- Green beans, collard greens, or deviled eggs
- Easter brunch spread