Christmas Maple Glazed Ham – Sticky, Sweet & Perfectly Festive
This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham is the ultimate holiday showstopper — golden, glossy, and infused with warm maple sweetness and festive spices. Easy to prepare yet stunning on any table, this ham recipe brings together the flavors of maple, brown sugar, and Dijon in a beautifully sticky glaze everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love It
- Beautiful golden glaze that tastes as good as it looks.
- Simple prep — perfect for holiday gatherings or family feasts.
- Make-ahead friendly and serves a crowd effortlessly.
- Leftovers stay tender and flavorful for days.
Looking for more festive holiday dinners or Christmas appetizers? Explore our Holiday Collection for more inspiration.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this ham warm or at room temperature with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. Drizzle with pan juices for an irresistible glossy finish. It also pairs beautifully with cranberry sauce or honey mustard.
Christmas Maple Glazed Ham – Sticky, Sweet & Perfectly Festive
Succulent baked ham covered in a glossy maple-brown sugar glaze, infused with Dijon and holiday spices — the centerpiece your Christmas table deserves.
Ingredients
- 1 whole leg ham (about 10 lb / 5 kg), bone in, skin on
- 2 oranges, quartered
- 30 whole cloves (optional, for decoration)
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
For the Maple Glaze:
- ¾ cup (185 ml) maple syrup (or honey)
- ¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar, packed
- 3 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice or nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set to 320°F (160°C). Position the rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Prepare the glaze. Whisk all glaze ingredients until smooth and set aside.
- Remove the rind. Gently lift the skin from the ham using your fingers or a knife, keeping the fat layer intact. Score the fat in a diamond pattern and insert cloves at each intersection (optional).
- Glaze and bake. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, squeeze over one orange, and brush half the glaze evenly on top. Pour water into the pan and bake for 1½–2 hours, basting with the remaining glaze every 30 minutes.
- Finish and serve. Once golden and sticky, rest for 20 minutes. Brush again with pan juices before slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute honey for maple syrup if needed.
- For a non-citrus version, replace orange juice with apple juice.
- Ham stays fresh up to a week in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- Use leftover ham in sandwiches, pasta, or soups.
This Maple Glazed Ham is pure holiday magic — simple, elegant, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of recipe that turns every gathering into a warm, memorable celebration.
Discover more festive dinner recipes and holiday ideas from Delilo Everyday Tasty Food.
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Thank you for spending your time here on Delilo Everyday Tasty Food. I hope this recipe brings warmth and joy to your holiday table. You’re always welcome back — something delicious is always waiting for you. ✨
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