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Ultimate Easy Christmas Ham (Juicy, Glazed & Crowd-Pleaser)
A beautifully glazed Christmas ham with caramelised edges and festive flavour. A show-stopping holiday recipe perfect for family gatherings, buffets, and celebrations.
RECIPESFAMILY FAVOURITES
12/3/20251 min read
Introduction
This easy Christmas ham recipe is a timeless holiday favourite, designed for stress-free festive cooking and joyful family gatherings. Made with a simple sweet glaze and minimal hands-on time, this juicy glazed ham is perfect for Christmas Day and just as delicious enjoyed as leftovers.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or keeping things simple, this budget-friendly Christmas ham creates a beautiful centrepiece that brings people together around the table.
Gathering the Ingredients
This recipe uses simple pantry staples and a fully cooked ham, making it an affordable and stress-free option for Christmas cooking.
1 fully cooked bone-in ham (8–10 lb / 3.5–4.5 kg)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Whole cloves, for studding (optional)
Aluminium foil
Simple pantry staples that create a rich, sweet glaze perfect for festive cooking.
Cooking Your Christmas Ham
Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F).
Prepare the ham by scoring the surface in a diamond pattern. Stud with cloves if desired.
Make the glaze by mixing brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and cinnamon.
Glaze the ham generously, ensuring it covers all scored areas.
Bake loosely covered with foil for 90 minutes, basting every 20–30 minutes.
Caramelise by removing foil for the final 15 minutes, allowing the glaze to deepen in colour.
Rest & serve — let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Helpful Tips
Spoon pan glaze over the ham before the final bake for extra caramelisation.
Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches, pasta, and breakfast dishes.
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for later use.
Why This Recipe Works
Beginner-friendly and stress-free
Budget-friendly for large family gatherings
Uses simple, accessible ingredients
Creates a juicy, flavourful festive centrepiece every time
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Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 90 mins | Total: 1 hr 40 mins | Serves: 8–12
Best For: Christmas lunch, family gatherings, celebrations
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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.