Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Ham: A Festive Delight for the New Year

Summary

Kickstart the New Year with a sweet and savory treat! This mouthwatering Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Boneless Ham, adorned with honey, spices, and pineapple rings, is a delightful and kid-friendly dish. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also an adventure to prepare, especially with the kiddos on board. So, gather around the kitchen, and let’s make some holiday magic!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family-Friendly: A great opportunity to involve the kids in a festive culinary project.
Sweet & Savory: The glaze strikes a perfect balance of flavors with honey, Dijon mustard, and spices.
Perfect for Leftovers: Great for sandwiches, casseroles, and more after the holiday meal.
Simple yet Impressive: Looks stunning and tastes fantastic with minimal effort.

Ingredients Needed

One 5-7 lb bone-in or boneless ham
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8-10 pineapple rings (canned or fresh)
Maraschino cherries (optional for garnish)
Toothpicks

Equipment Needed

Roasting pan
Basting brush
Small mixing bowl
Aluminum foil
Oven mitts
Meat thermometer

a sliced ham and pineapple slices on a cutting board

How to Make Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Boneless Ham

Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prepare Ham

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Prepare Ham: If your ham has a skin or rind, gently remove it, leaving a thin layer of fat. With the help of your kiddo, score the fat in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Stir until smooth.

Step 3: Apply Glaze & Bake

Glaze Ham: Place the ham in the roasting pan. Using the basting brush, generously apply half of the glaze all over the ham.
Cover & Bake: Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake in the oven. For a bone-in ham, cook for about 20 minutes per pound; for boneless, aim for 15 minutes per pound.

Step 4: Add Pineapple Rings & Finish Baking

Halfway Check: Halfway through the cooking time, remove the ham from the oven. With the kiddos watching, brush the ham with the remaining glaze.
Decorate Ham: Arrange pineapple rings over the surface of the ham, securing them with toothpicks. For an extra festive touch, place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, again using toothpicks to keep them in place.
Return to Oven: Return the foil-covered ham to the oven and continue baking until it’s fully heated through and the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Step 5: Slice & Serve

Rest Ham: Once done, carefully remove the ham from the oven. Let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Slice & Serve: Slice, serve, and savor the delightful flavors!

How Kids Can Help

Involving the little ones makes this recipe extra special:

Scoring the Ham: Teach them how to score the fat in a diamond pattern.
Mixing the Glaze: Let them measure and mix the glaze ingredients together.
Glazing the Ham: They can help brush the glaze over the ham.
Decorating with Pineapple: Kids will love securing pineapple rings and cherries with toothpicks.

A Personal Story From a Reader: Making Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Ham with My Kids

There’s something truly special about New Year’s Day—the start of a new chapter filled with fresh hopes and dreams. This year, I wanted to kick off the celebration with a delicious and memorable family meal, so my kids, Sophie and Lucas, and I decided to make a Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Ham together.

The Excitement Begins

When I announced our plans to make a festive glazed ham, Sophie and Lucas jumped at the opportunity to help.

“What’s a glaze?” Lucas asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“It’s a sweet sauce we’ll brush over the ham to make it extra delicious!” I explained.

They both nodded enthusiastically and quickly tied on their aprons, ready for a cooking adventure.

Gathering Ingredients and Prepping

We gathered all the ingredients on the counter:

One 6 lb bone-in ham
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8-10 pineapple rings
Maraschino cherries
Toothpicks

With everything laid out, I showed the kids how to score the ham’s fat layer in a diamond pattern. They took turns making shallow cuts across the surface with careful precision.

Mixing the Glaze

Next, we made the glaze. I handed Sophie a small bowl and let her measure out the honey, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Lucas added the ground cloves and nutmeg, and then they both took turns stirring the mixture until it was smooth.

“It smells so sweet and spicy!” Sophie exclaimed.

“Let’s glaze the ham!” Lucas chimed in, excited to put his basting skills to the test.

Applying the Glaze and Baking

We placed the ham in a roasting pan and let the kids brush half of the glaze generously over the surface.

“Make sure to cover every corner!” I reminded them as they carefully brushed the glaze with big smiles on their faces.

Once the ham was fully coated, we covered it with foil and placed it in the preheated oven at 325°F. I set the timer for 1.5 hours while we worked on arranging pineapple rings and maraschino cherries.

Decorating Time

Halfway through the cooking time, we pulled the ham out of the oven and brushed it with the remaining glaze. The kids then arranged the pineapple rings neatly across the surface and secured them with toothpicks. For an extra festive touch, they placed a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring.

“Look how pretty it is!” Sophie beamed.

We covered the ham with foil again and put it back in the oven until it reached an internal temperature of 140°F.

The Grand Reveal

When the timer finally beeped, we carefully removed the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. The sweet aroma of honey, brown sugar, and spices filled the kitchen, and Lucas couldn’t stop peeking at our masterpiece.

Once it was time to slice, I gently carved the ham while the kids set the table with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes, green beans, and a fresh salad. Finally, we served the ham on a large platter, and everyone admired the beautiful glaze and festive pineapple decorations.

New Year’s Feast

As we sat down to our New Year’s feast, Sophie and Lucas couldn’t hide their excitement.

“This is the best ham ever!” Lucas declared, his mouth full.

“We did such a good job!” Sophie added with pride.

Final Thoughts

Making the Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Ham with Sophie and Lucas was more than just preparing a delicious meal—it was about creating memories and traditions that we’ll cherish for years to come. The joy and laughter we shared while scoring, glazing, and decorating the ham made this New Year’s Day celebration one to remember.

Here’s to many more holiday feasts filled with sweet flavors, family love, and new beginnings! Happy New Year!

Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Boneless Ham

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store sliced ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap leftover ham in plastic wrap and foil, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F until warm.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

Dijon Mustard Alternatives:
- Whole Grain Mustard: Adds a rustic flavor.
- Yellow Mustard: Offers a milder taste.
Honey Alternatives:
- Maple Syrup: Provides a rich, sweet flavor.
- Agave Syrup: Works well for a vegan option.

Additions

Spice Enhancements:
- Cinnamon or Ginger: Add a pinch for extra warmth.
- Cayenne Pepper: For a subtle heat kick.
Fruit Variations:
- Apricot or Peach Preserves: Mix with the glaze for a fruity twist.
- Oranges: Place orange slices instead of pineapple rings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I know when my ham is fully cooked?
A: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Q: Should I use bone-in or boneless ham?
A: Either works! Bone-in ham tends to be juicier, while boneless ham is easier to slice.

Q: Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
A: Yes, just slice fresh pineapple into rings or chunks and use as directed.

Q: Can I prepare the ham glaze in advance?
A: Absolutely! Make the glaze up to 3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator.

Q: What side dishes pair well with glazed ham?
A: Try roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.

Reasons Why You Will Love This Recipe

Show-Stopping Centerpiece: Impress your guests with a stunning and flavorful ham.
Sweet & Savory Balance: The glaze provides the perfect blend of sweetness and spice.
Kid-Friendly Fun: An enjoyable recipe that makes cooking with the family a delight.
Versatile Leftovers: Use leftovers for sandwiches, casseroles, and more.

Final Thoughts

The Brown Sugar and Dijon Glazed Ham is not just a recipe; it’s a holiday tradition that brings families together in the kitchen. From the sweet aroma of the glaze to the joyful laughter of little chefs, making this ham creates memories that linger long after the meal is over. Here’s to a delicious New Year‘s feast and many more family moments around the table!

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