You might think Succulent Cranberry Glazed Ham is too complex for your holiday table, but you’ll be surprised how simple it can be! Whether you’re hosting your first family gathering or you’re a seasoned cook, this classic dish combines sweet and tart flavors that’ll make your guests think you spent hours in the kitchen. Let’s explore how a few basic ingredients and straightforward techniques can transform your ordinary ham into a showstopping centerpiece that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
History
While the exact origins of succulent cranberry glazed ham aren’t precisely documented, this festive dish emerged in mid-20th century America when cranberry sauce became a holiday staple.
You’ll find that the combination gained popularity during the post-war prosperity of the 1950s, when home entertaining reached new heights.
Back then, you’d see cranberry sauce primarily served as a side dish until creative home cooks started experimenting with glazes. The tartness of cranberries proved to be the perfect counterpoint to ham’s natural saltiness!
During the 1960s and 70s, women’s magazines and community cookbooks began featuring variations of this recipe, cementing its place on holiday tables across the country.
Today, you’ll find countless adaptations of this classic, though the basic concept remains true to its mid-century roots.
Recipe for Succulent Cranberry Glazed Ham
A cranberry glazed ham is a stunning centerpiece that combines the natural sweetness of honey and brown sugar with the tartness of cranberries, creating a perfectly balanced holiday dish. The glaze not only adds incredible flavor but also creates a beautiful, glossy finish that makes this ham visually impressive.
This recipe transforms an ordinary ham into a memorable feast with minimal effort, using just five key ingredients. The glaze caramelizes during cooking, forming a delicious outer crust while keeping the meat underneath moist and tender, making it perfect for special occasions or family gatherings.
- 1 fully cooked ham (8-10 pounds)
- 1 can whole cranberry sauce (14 ounces)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Place ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern. In a bowl, combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard until well mixed.
Bake the ham for approximately 20 minutes per pound, brushing with the glaze every 30 minutes. During the final 30 minutes, increase basting frequency to achieve a rich, glossy coating. Once the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), remove from oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
For optimal results, allow the ham to come to room temperature before cooking, and ensure the glaze is also at room temperature when applying. If the glaze becomes too thick during cooking, warm it slightly or thin with a small amount of orange juice or water.
Monitor the ham’s browning progress and tent with foil if needed to prevent over-browning. Always use a meat thermometer for accurate temperature readings, and position the ham flat-side down in the roasting pan for even cooking. Remember we are looking for Succulent Cranberry Glazed Ham not fried out paper ham. So be careful with the cooking steps.
Cooking Steps
You’ll want to start by preheating your oven to 325°F and scoring your ham’s surface in a diamond pattern.
Next, you’ll combine your cranberry sauce, brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard in a bowl until they’re perfectly mixed – don’t worry if it looks a bit like Christmas morning gone wrong!
After applying the glaze generously over your scored ham, you’re ready to begin the baking process, remembering to reapply the glaze every 30 minutes until you’ve achieved that picture-perfect shine.
step 1. Preheat Oven First
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C) before doing anything else with the ham.
While you’re waiting for the oven to reach the right temperature, you can begin preparing your glaze mixture – timing is everything with this recipe!
Proper preheating ensures your ham will cook evenly from start to finish.
You’ll want to give your oven at least 10-15 minutes to reach the correct temperature, which gives you plenty of time to score the ham’s surface and mix up that delicious cranberry glaze.
Don’t be tempted to pop the ham in early – a properly preheated oven is crucial for achieving that perfect caramelization and maintaining moisture throughout the cooking process.
Think of it as giving your ham the warm welcome it deserves!
step 2. Score Ham in Diamonds
Before glazing can begin, scoring the ham’s surface in a diamond pattern creates the perfect foundation for that stunning cranberry coating to adhere.
Using a sharp knife, make parallel diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across the ham’s surface, spacing them roughly 1 inch apart.
Next, rotate your cutting angle and create another set of parallel lines running in the opposite direction. You’ll end up with a classic diamond pattern that’s not just pretty – it’s practical!
These shallow cuts allow the glaze to seep into the meat while cooking, creating pockets of flavor throughout.
Don’t worry if your diamonds aren’t perfect; even slightly uneven cuts will still do the job.
Just be careful not to cut too deeply – you’re aiming to score the fat layer, not perform ham surgery!
step 3. Combine Glaze Ingredients Together
Creating the perfect cranberry glaze requires combining the key ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with careful attention to proportions.
You’ll need your 14-ounce can of whole cranberry sauce, ½ cup of brown sugar, ¼ cup of honey, and 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard ready to go.
Start by spooning the cranberry sauce into your bowl – don’t worry about any lumps, they’ll smooth out!
Add the brown sugar and honey, then drop in your Dijon mustard.
Using a whisk or spoon, blend these ingredients together until you’ve achieved a uniform consistency.
The mixture should be thick but spreadable, similar to jam.
If it’s too thick, you can thin it with a tablespoon of orange juice or water until it reaches the perfect brushing consistency.
step 4. Apply Glaze to Ham
Now that your glaze is perfectly mixed, it’s time to give that ham its glossy makeover! Using a basting brush, generously coat the entire surface of your scored ham with the cranberry mixture, making sure to get into those diamond-shaped crevices.
As your ham bakes at 325°F, you’ll want to reapply the glaze every 30 minutes – think of it as giving your ham a spa treatment!
During the final half hour of cooking, increase your glazing frequency to every 10 minutes. This extra attention creates that picture-perfect, caramelized finish we’re after.
If you notice any spots browning too quickly, simply cover them with small pieces of foil.
Keep basting until your meat thermometer reads 140°F and the surface has transformed into a beautiful, glossy masterpiece.
step 5. Let Rest Before Carving
The perfectly glazed ham needs a proper resting period to ensure all your hard work pays off! After reaching an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C), remove your ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
During this crucial resting time, the meat’s juices redistribute throughout the ham, making each slice more tender and moist.
Don’t worry if you’re hearing impatient stomachs growling – this wait is worth it! While resting, tent the ham loosely with foil to keep it warm without trapping steam that could soften your beautifully caramelized glaze.
You’ll know it’s ready to carve when the ham is still warm but not too hot to handle. The cranberry glaze will have set slightly, creating that picture-perfect finish you’ve been working toward.
Final Thoughts
While this Succulent Cranberry Glazed Ham recipe might seem straightforward, you’ll find that mastering a few key details makes all the difference in your final result. Pay special attention to room temperature ingredients, consistent basting, and proper resting time.
Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a splash of bourbon to the glaze or incorporating orange zest for a citrusy twist. Just remember that the star of the show is the balance between the sweet cranberry glaze and the savory ham.
With proper timing and attention to temperature control, you’ll create a showstopping centerpiece that’ll have your guests reaching for seconds.
Trust us – the extra effort you put into achieving that perfect glossy finish will be worth every compliment you receive!
