Celebrate Christmas Eve with a show-stopping Honey-Glazed Roasted Ham, the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dinner table. This recipe is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it ideal for a festive evening with family and friends.

Ingredients

For the Ham:

• 1 fully cooked, bone-in ham (about 8-10 pounds)
• 1 cup of water

For the Honey Glaze:

• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ham:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
• Place the ham on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan to prevent the ham from drying out.
• Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making shallow cuts about 1 inch apart. This helps the glaze penetrate the ham.

2. Make the Glaze:

• In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, orange juice, ground cloves, cinnamon, and butter.
• Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).

3. Roast and Glaze the Ham:

• Brush the ham generously with the honey glaze.
• Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours.
• Remove the foil, baste the ham with more glaze, and continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.
• The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

4. Serve:

• Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with your favorite holiday sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Tips for Success

• For extra flavor, you can add pineapple slices or maraschino cherries on top of the ham before baking.
• Save the pan drippings to create a flavorful sauce or gravy.

This Honey-Glazed Roasted Ham is guaranteed to bring warmth and joy to your Christmas Eve dinner. Pair it with other festive dishes and enjoy a magical evening with your loved ones!

Happy Holidays from Sooners!