Brown Sugar Ham (Baked Ham Glaze)

Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Ham Glaze – Our easy baked ham recipe is made with a flavorful brandy and brown sugar glaze. It’s the perfect main dish for celebrating any occasion!

The Best Baked Ham

Our Glazed Ham Recipe with Brandy and Brown Sugar Glaze is one of those dishes that has a reputation for being hard or complicated to make, but nothing could be further from the truth.

I’m not sure who first started spreading these nasty rumors… I have a feeling part of the responsibility goes to marketers at certain national pre-baked ham shops, but who’s to say.

A good ham needs nothing more than a sweet, flavorful glaze (or rub) and some time in the oven.

With just a bit of effort you wind up with a beautifully baked ham that’s perfect for enjoying with family. Plus, leftover ham is delicious for eating cold or reheated for several days in so many different ways!

Tips for Baked Ham with Brandy and Brown Sugar Glaze

I like to start my oven-baked ham recipe with a simple brown sugar ham glaze, then spruce it up with a whole lot of flavor.

One of my favorite brown sugar ham glaze recipes combines brown sugar with whole grain mustard, brandy, cumin, and coriander. The sweet boozy note of the brandy enhances the brown sugar and complements the spicy twang of the mustard.

It’s an absolutely heavenly blend to rub over the ham before baking.

Ingredients For Our Glazed Ham Recipe

• Large bone-in smoked ham – Hams you find in the grocery store are pre-cooked. This means you don’t have to worry about undercooking. You are just trying to rewarm the ham all the way to the center, while creating a crispy exterior.
• Brown sugar – Necessary for a brown sugar ham glaze. *wink*
• Brandy – Adds depth of flavor to the sweet glaze.
• Whole grain mustard – Tangy mustard balances the glaze so it’s not overly sweet.
• Cornstarch – For thickening the glaze.
• Ground cumin, coriander, allspice, and cayenne pepper – Spice it up, baby!
• Salt – Even though ham is salty, the glaze still needs a little salt.

How To Bake A Ham in the Oven

You will be amazed at how easy it is to bake a ham at home!

Remember, generally you would start with a smoked ham, so the meat is already cooked through. We’re just trying to thoroughly warm the ham to the center and create a nice brown sugar crust on the outside.

Here’s how:

1. First, lay the ham flat-side-down on an aluminum foil rimmed baking sheet, so the entire exterior can get a good coating of glaze.
2. Score the ham, by cutting shallow cuts in a grid pattern, so the brown sugar ham glaze will work its magic into the meat while baking. Then pour and rub the brown sugar glaze over the ham.
3. Bake the ham at a medium temperature.
4. Serve. Slice with a sharp knife and serve with your holiday meal. 

Once it’s had some time to lounge in the oven, your brown sugar ham will be dark and crispy-sweet on the outside, yet moist and smoky on the inside.

Check Out the Recipe Below For Our Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions…

How Long Do You Cook A Glazed Ham In The Oven?

Smoked ham will warm through the center, and create a crispy crust on the outside in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This breaks down to approximately 10-12 minutes per pound. You can also use your roasting pan and a rack to cook ham in the oven. 

To be sure your ham is warm in the center, use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. It should reach 130 degrees F to warm, or 145 degrees F for uncooked pork.

What Can I Substitute for the Brandy in the Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham?

The alcohol content of the brandy cooks out during baking, but you certainly can still choose to substitute for a non-alcoholic ingredient to make the glaze. Try a sweet fruit juice, such as apple juice or white grape juice, as a flavorful swap.

Be sure to use 100% pure juice, though, so that your ham glaze isn’t too sweet.

If you’d like to use alcohol but don’t have brandy on hand, you can substitute for whiskey or cognac for a similarly sweet and smoky flavor.

How long does this baked ham last in the fridge?

The glazed ham leftovers can stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days in an airtight container.

What kind of ham should I pick?

There are so many types of ham: bone-in ham, boneless ham, spiral-cut ham, ham butt, and whole ham. I chose to use a smoked ham, uncut, the scored a diamond pattern on top.

Is this a good Thanksgiving Ham Recipe?

Of course! The sweet ham glaze crust over the top makes this a fabulous centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner or as a Christmas Ham recipe.

A simple baked ham with brown sugar glaze is just what I crave for Sunday dinner with my family. No one is ever disappointed with a thick slice of juicy baked ham and some southern sides.

We recommend trying this ham recipe with our Perfect Southern Collard Greens, Famous Corn Pudding, and, of course, the Best Macaroni and Cheese for a complete comfort food-filled family meal!

Looking for More Family Dinner Main Dishes and Holiday Ham Recipes?

Check out the printable recipe card below for then nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages. Nutritional values are calculated with all fat intact.

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