Maple-Glazed Festive Ham
This Maple-Glazed Festive Ham is a stunning centerpiece for any holiday gathering. With a delightful blend of maple syrup, orange juice, and ginger ale, this recipe infuses the ham with rich sweetness and tangy undertones. The addition of brown sugar and honey creates a caramelized crust, while pineapple slices and maraschino cherries add a festive touch, making it a visual and flavorful feast. Impress your guests with this succulent ham, perfect for family celebrations, holiday dinners, or special occasions. Serve it warm and watch as it becomes the star of your meal, leaving everyone asking for seconds!
24
Servings
248
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Maple Syrup
1 cup (none)
Orange Juice
1 cup (freshly squeezed or bottled)
Ginger Ale
1 cup (none)
Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Honey
1/2 cup (none)
Maraschino Cherries
1 (10 ounce) jar (halved)
Fully Cooked Bone-In Ham
1 (12 lb) (none)
Pineapple Slices
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can (drained)
Round Wooden Toothpicks
1 box (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, orange juice, ginger ale, brown sugar, and honey until well combined. Stir in the juice from the maraschino cherries and half of the halved cherries.
3
Using a sharp knife, score the outer surface of the ham into a diamond pattern, cutting about 1/4 inch deep. This helps the ham absorb the marinade during cooking.
4
Place the scored ham inside an oven-safe bag, ensuring it fits snugly. Carefully pour the prepared juice mixture over the ham, making sure all the juices remain inside the bag.
5
Arrange the drained pineapple slices on top of the ham and secure them using wooden toothpicks. Place halved cherries in the center of each slice, securing them with additional toothpicks.
6
Tie the bag closed using the provided ties, place the filled bag inside a large roasting pan, and cut a few small slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.
7
Bake the ham in the preheated oven for approximately 2 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (80 degrees C). Avoid touching the bone when measuring the temperature.
8
Once the ham is done, carefully remove it from the oven bag and transfer it to a serving platter. Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
39g
Carbs
7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maple-Glazed Festive Ham?
It is a festive holiday centerpiece ham infused with maple syrup, orange juice, and ginger ale, topped with pineapple and cherries.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe provides approximately 24 servings.
What oven temperature is required for baking the ham?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for this recipe.
What are the primary ingredients in the glaze?
The glaze is made from maple syrup, orange juice, ginger ale, brown sugar, honey, and maraschino cherry juice.
Why should the ham be scored before cooking?
Scoring the ham into a diamond pattern helps the meat absorb the marinade more effectively during cooking.
How deep should the score marks be on the ham?
Using a sharp knife, score the outer surface about 1/4 inch deep.
What is the purpose of using an oven-safe bag?
The oven bag holds the juices against the ham and ensures it fits snugly for better flavor infusion.
How do you prevent steam from building up in the oven bag?
Cut a few small slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape while baking.
How do you attach the pineapple slices and cherries?
Use round wooden toothpicks to secure the pineapple slices and cherry halves to the surface of the ham.
How long does the ham need to bake?
Bake the ham for approximately 2 hours.
What internal temperature should the ham reach?
The ham should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (80 degrees C).
Where should the temperature be measured?
Measure the internal temperature using a meat thermometer, avoiding contact with the bone for an accurate reading.
How long should the ham rest before carving?
Allow the ham to rest for about 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
What type of ham is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 12-lb fully cooked bone-in ham.
What creates the caramelized crust on the ham?
The combination of brown sugar and honey creates a sweet, caramelized crust during the baking process.
Can I use bottled orange juice?
Yes, you can use either freshly squeezed or bottled orange juice.
What size jar of maraschino cherries is required?
A 10-ounce jar of maraschino cherries is used for both the glaze and decoration.
How much ginger ale is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 cup of ginger ale.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 248 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 7g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving has 39g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does one serving provide?
Each serving provides 7g of protein.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday occasions?
Yes, it is designed as a stunning centerpiece for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, or special occasions.
What should be done with the maraschino cherry juice?
The juice from the cherry jar should be stirred into the glaze mixture.
Are the pineapple slices drained before use?
Yes, the pineapple slices should be drained before being arranged on the ham.
How much maple syrup is used in the glaze?
The recipe uses 1 cup of maple syrup.
What should be done with the cherry halves?
Half of the cherries are stirred into the glaze, and the other half are secured to the pineapple slices.
What kind of toothpicks are recommended?
Round wooden toothpicks are used to secure the fruit decorations.
Does the recipe use packed brown sugar?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar.
How should the ham be served?
The ham should be served warm after a 10-minute resting period.