Ultimate Honey Caramelized Ham
Indulge in the true taste of celebration with this Ultimate Honey Caramelized Ham recipe! This recipe brings you the beloved flavors of the famous HoneyBaked ham, combined with a homemade touch that makes it truly special. Inspired by a renowned culinary source, this dish captures the essence of sweetness and warmth, perfect for family gatherings and holiday feasts. The smoked, pre-cooked ham is sliced with precision and enveloped in a delightful blend of sugars and spices, then caramelized to perfection using a culinary torch. You'll enjoy every bite of this succulent ham, with a beautiful glossy finish and rich flavor profile that's sure to impress your guests. With the option to reheat or serve cold, this ham versatile dish is a must for any occasion!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fully-cooked shank half ham, bone in
1 (Pre-sliced preferred)
Sugar
1 cup (Mixed 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar is preferable)
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Paprika
1/8 teaspoon (None)
Ground ginger
1 dash (None)
Ground allspice
1 dash (None)
Instructions
1
If your ham is not pre-sliced, carefully use a sharp knife to slice it into thin pieces, ensuring not to cut all the way to the bone for structural integrity.
2
Spread a few layers of wax paper on a flat surface to prepare for the sugar coating.
3
In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, paprika, ginger, and allspice until combined.
4
Pour the sugar mixture onto the wax paper and evenly spread it out.
5
Gently roll the sliced ham over the sugar mixture, making sure the outer surface is well-coated. You can optionally stuff some sugar mixture between the slices for added sweetness.
6
Set the ham upright on its flat end on a plate.
7
Using a culinary blow torch on a medium flame, caramelize the sugar coating by waving the torch over it until the sugar bubbles and turns a golden brown, ensuring it does not burn.
8
While caramelizing, periodically spin the plate to evenly coat and caramelize the entire surface of the ham.
9
Repeat the rolling and caramelizing process until the ham is beautifully glazed, reserving some sugar mixture for later if desired.
10
Serve the ham either cold, ensuring no sugar is placed between the slices, or reheat gently before adding the sugar mixture in between the slices and caramelizing again for an irresistible finish.
11
Feel free to enjoy the torch process outdoors on a heat-proof surface for extra fun!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Honey Caramelized Ham?
It is a recipe for a smoked, pre-cooked ham coated in a sugar and spice blend and caramelized with a culinary torch to mimic the flavor of HoneyBaked ham.
What type of ham should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a fully-cooked shank half ham, bone-in. Pre-sliced ham is preferred for easier preparation.
How do I slice the ham if it is not pre-sliced?
Use a sharp knife to slice the ham into thin pieces, being careful not to cut all the way to the bone to maintain the ham's structural integrity.
What kind of sugar is best for the coating?
A mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar is preferable for the best caramelization results.
Which spices are included in the sugar mixture?
The mixture includes ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, paprika, ground ginger, and ground allspice.
How do I apply the sugar coating to the ham?
Spread the sugar mixture onto wax paper and gently roll the sliced ham over it until the outer surface is well-coated.
Can I put sugar between the ham slices?
Yes, you can optionally stuff some of the sugar mixture between the slices for added sweetness, especially if you plan to serve it warm.
How do I caramelize the sugar on the ham?
Use a culinary blow torch on a medium flame, waving it over the sugar coating until it bubbles and turns golden brown.
What safety tip is suggested for using the blow torch?
You can perform the torching process outdoors on a heat-proof surface for extra safety and fun.
How do I ensure the ham is evenly glazed?
Periodically spin the plate while caramelizing to evenly coat and glaze the entire surface of the ham.
Can I serve this ham cold?
Yes, the ham can be served cold. If serving cold, ensure that no sugar is placed between the slices.
How do I reheat the ham?
Reheat the ham gently before adding more sugar mixture between the slices and caramelizing it again for a fresh finish.
How much cinnamon is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
What is the purpose of the wax paper?
The wax paper provides a flat, clean surface to spread the sugar mixture, making it easier to roll and coat the ham.
What does the paprika add to the recipe?
A small amount (1/8 teaspoon) of paprika is used to add a subtle depth of flavor and color to the spice blend.
How many ingredients are in the Ultimate Honey Caramelized Ham?
There are a total of 8 ingredients including the ham, sugars, and various spices.
What kind of finish does the caramelization provide?
The torching process creates a beautiful, glossy, and crunchy caramelized finish.
Can I use just white sugar?
While you can use white sugar, the recipe recommends a 50/50 mix of brown and white sugar for a richer flavor profile.
Is the ham bone-in or boneless?
The recipe specifically calls for a bone-in shank half ham.
How do I position the ham for torching?
Set the ham upright on its flat end on a plate before you begin the caramelizing process.
What occasions are best for this ham?
It is ideal for family gatherings, holiday feasts, celebrations, and as a party food for entertaining.
How much nutmeg and cloves are needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and ground cloves.
What is the role of ginger and allspice?
A dash of ground ginger and a dash of ground allspice are added to enhance the warmth of the spice blend.
How long should I torch the sugar?
Torch it only until the sugar bubbles and turns golden brown; be careful not to let the sugar burn.
Can I use a larger ham?
The recipe is designed for one shank half ham, but you can scale the sugar and spice mixture up if using a larger ham.
Is this ham spicy because of the paprika?
No, the small amount of paprika and other spices provide warmth and depth rather than heat.
Can I prepare the sugar mixture in advance?
Yes, you can mix the sugar and spices in a bowl beforehand and store it until you are ready to coat the ham.
What do I do with the remaining sugar mixture?
You can reserve some of the mixture to add between the slices if you choose to reheat and re-caramelize later.
Should the torch be on a high flame?
No, the recipe recommends using a medium flame for better control over the caramelization process.
Is the ham already cooked when I buy it?
Yes, the recipe requires a fully-cooked ham, as the process focuses on flavoring and glazing rather than cooking from raw.