Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Baked Ham
This stunning cherry bourbon-glazed ham combines sweet-tart cherry preserves with warming bourbon and aromatic spices to create a show-stopping holiday centerpiece. With its glistening, lacquered finish and incredible flavor, it's sure to become your new celebration tradition.
Equipment
- Roasting pan
- Small saucepan
- Basting brush
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
For the ham
- 1 spiral-cut ham (7-9 pounds), fully cooked
- 1/4 cup water
For the cherry bourbon glaze
- 1 cup cherry preserves or jam
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional garnishes
- Fresh cherries (when in season)
- Orange slices
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Remove ham from packaging and discard any plastic disk covering the bone.
- Place ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan.
- Add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan to create steam and keep the ham moist.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and prevent the ham from drying out.
Step 2: Start the Baking Process
- Bake the covered ham for about 1.5 hours (or according to package directions, generally 10-12 minutes per pound).
- While the ham bakes, prepare your glaze.
Step 3: Create the Cherry Bourbon Glaze
- In a medium saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients: cherry preserves, bourbon, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the glaze has thickened slightly and reduced by about one-third. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and set aside. The glaze will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 4: Glaze and Finish the Ham
- After the initial baking period, remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Carefully remove the foil (save it for later) and brush the ham generously with about 1/3 of the glaze, working it into the cuts between the slices.
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Apply another layer of glaze and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- For the final touch, apply the remaining glaze and bake for 10-15 more minutes until the ham is beautifully caramelized and glossy. Keep a close eye on it during this final stage – the sugar in the glaze can burn quickly.
- If the ham starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with the reserved foil.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the ham to firm up slightly, making it easier to slice.
Step 5: Serve with Flair
- Transfer the ham to a serving platter, spooning any glaze from the pan over the top.
- Garnish with fresh cherries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs if desired.
- Serve warm or at room temperature and prepare for the compliments!
Notes
- Ham selection: Choose a high-quality spiral-cut ham for the best results. Bone-in provides the best flavor, but boneless works too.
- Bourbon alternatives: If you prefer not to use alcohol, substitute apple cider or orange juice, though you'll miss some of the complex flavor that bourbon provides.
- Make ahead magic: The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Warm it slightly before applying to the ham.
- Leftover strategy: This ham makes incredible sandwiches! Try it on a crusty baguette with a bit of Dijon mustard and some melted Gruyère cheese.
- Serving temperature: Ham is delicious warm but also excellent at room temperature, making it ideal for buffet-style holiday meals.