The Christmas Ham Glaze I made this year filled my entire kitchen with the most incredible aroma—sweet maple mingling with warm spices and the subtle tang of Dijon mustard.
As Christmas Ham Glaze baked slowly in the oven, the glaze turned the ham into a golden masterpiece, each baste layering on more shine and depth until it looked like something straight out of a holiday movie.
The scent alone could make anyone’s mouth water—it’s that comforting mix of caramelized sugar, citrus, and spice that immediately feels like Christmas.
I’ve made a lot of holiday dishes over the years, but this Christmas Ham Glaze truly stands out. It’s not just sweet—it has a gentle kick from the mustard and the earthiness of cinnamon and allspice, which makes every slice of ham taste balanced and rich.
What I love most about Christmas Ham Glaze is how the maple syrup gives it a natural sweetness without being overpowering, creating that glossy, sticky coating that everyone reaches for seconds of.
Why Christmas Ham Glaze is the Ideal Recipe
After making this Christmas Ham Glaze myself, I can honestly say it captures everything I love about holiday cooking—simple ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary.
There’s something special about watching that glaze thicken as it simmers, knowing it’s about to transform an ordinary ham into the centerpiece everyone will talk about.
What makes this Christmas Ham Glaze recipe truly ideal is how approachable it is. You don’t need to be a professional chef to get it right.
The steps are straightforward, the ingredients are easy to find, and yet the result feels like something you’d find on a restaurant table at Christmas dinner.
I think that’s why I fell in love with Christmas Ham Glaze—it gives you the satisfaction of creating something beautiful without the stress that often comes with holiday meals.
Key Ingredients in Christmas Ham Glaze Recipe
When I first gathered the ingredients for this Christmas Ham Glaze, I was surprised by how simple they were. There’s nothing fancy or hard to find here—just a handful of pantry staples that somehow come together to create a glaze that tastes like pure holiday magic.
Each ingredient has a purpose, and after making Christmas Ham Glaze myself, I’ve come to appreciate how perfectly balanced this combination is.
Leg Ham (5 kg / 10 lb, bone-in, skin on)
The star of the show. I love using a bone-in ham because it stays juicy and flavorful throughout baking. Removing the skin reveals that perfect layer of fat underneath, which crisps up beautifully once glazed. It’s that golden surface that makes the ham look as good as it tastes.
Cloves
I decided to stud the ham with cloves this time, and honestly, it was worth the extra minute. They add that warm, festive aroma that instantly reminds you of Christmas. The scent alone while it roasts is enough to make anyone peek into the oven.
Oranges (cut into quarters)
Fresh orange juice and wedges make a subtle but noticeable difference. When I squeezed them over the ham before baking, the citrus balanced the sweetness of the glaze and infused a gentle tang into the pan juices. It also keeps the ham wonderfully moist.
Maple Syrup
This is what gives the glaze its deep, rich sweetness. As it cooks, the maple caramelizes on the surface, creating that glossy, sticky layer everyone loves. I’ve tried using honey before—it works well too—but maple syrup adds a more complex, slightly smoky note that makes the glaze shine.
Brown Sugar
The brown sugar adds body and helps the glaze thicken into a syrupy coating. It’s what gives the ham those caramelized edges that taste almost candied when you slice into it.
Dijon Mustard
I never realized how much of a difference mustard makes until I tried it. It adds a subtle sharpness that cuts through the sweetness, giving the glaze depth and balance. It’s not overpowering—it just quietly brings everything together.
Cinnamon and Allspice
These two spices are the heart of the holiday flavor. The cinnamon brings warmth, while the allspice adds that comforting, aromatic finish. Together, they make the glaze smell like Christmas in the best possible way.
Water
A simple ingredient with an important job. Adding water to the baking dish keeps the ham tender and prevents the glaze from burning, creating a beautiful sauce you can baste with throughout roasting.
Christmas Ham Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 min
- Yield: Serves 10–12
Description
Elevate your holiday feast with this Christmas Ham Glaze, featuring maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and allspice. It creates a sweet, savory, and aromatic coating that turns your ham into a golden, glossy centerpiece perfect for festive celebrations.
Ingredients
- 5 kg / 10 lb leg ham, bone in, skin on (Note 1)
- 30 Cloves (for studding the ham, optional – mainly for decorative purposes)
- 2 oranges , cut into quarters (Note 2)
- 1 cup (250ml) water
Glaze
- 3/4 cup (185ml) maple syrup (sub honey)
- 3/4 cup (165g) brown sugar , packed
- 3 tbsp dijon mustard (can sub American or other plain mustard)
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp All Spice (or nutmeg)
Instructions
- Take ham out of fridge 1 hour prior.
- Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F (140°C fan). Arrange shelf in lower third so the ham will be sitting in the centre of the oven (rather than in top half of oven).
- Place the Glaze ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined – use whisk if needed.
Remove ham rind (skin)
- Run small knife around bone handle, down each side of the ham, and under the rind on the cut face. (See video & photos in post)
- Slide fingers under the rind on the cut face of the ham, and run them back and forth to loosen while pulling the rind back. Use knife if needed to slice off any residual rind.
- Lightly cut 2.5cm / 1″ diamonds across the fat surface of the ham, about 75% of the way into the fat. Avoid cutting into the meat.
- Insert a clove in the intersection of the cross of each diamond on the surface (optional).
Glaze and Baking
- Place the ham in a large baking dish. Prop handle up on edge of pan + scrunched up foil so surface of the ham is level (for more even caramelisation).
- Squeeze the juice of 1 orange (4 quarters) over the ham. Then place them along with the remaining orange into the baking dish around the ham.
- Brush / spoon half the glaze all over the surface and cut face of the ham (don’t worry about underside, glaze drips down into pan)
- Pour the water in the baking dish, then place in the oven.
- Bake for 1.5 – 2 hrs, basting very generously every 30 minutes with remainig glaze + juices in pan, or until sticky and golden.
- Use foil patches to protect bits that brown faster than others – press on lightly, caramelisation won’t peel off with the foil.
- Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. Baste, baste, baste before serving – as the glaze in the pan cools, it thickens which means it “paints” the ham even better – but be sure to save pan juices for drizzling.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 1.5–2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: glazed
- Cuisine: Christmas
How to Christmas Ham Glaze Recipe Step-by-Step
Making this Christmas Ham Glaze was one of those kitchen moments that reminded me why I love cooking during the holidays.
It’s not just about the food—it’s the rhythm of the process, the anticipation, and the warmth that fills the house as the ham slowly transforms in the oven.
Here’s exactly how I prepared Christmas Ham Glaze, step by step, so you can recreate the same delicious, festive result.
Take the ham out of the fridge early
About an hour before baking, I set the ham on the counter to come to room temperature. It’s a small detail, but it really helps the meat cook evenly. As it sat there, I preheated the oven to 160°C (320°F) and could already imagine the glaze bubbling away later on.
Prepare the glaze
In a bowl, I whisked together maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and allspice. The smell was heavenly—sweet, spicy, and rich. It only took a minute, but watching those simple ingredients blend into something glossy and fragrant felt like the start of something special.
Remove the rind
This part always feels a bit like unwrapping a present. I ran a small knife around the bone and under the skin, then gently loosened it with my fingers. Once the rind peeled away, the soft layer of fat underneath was revealed—perfect for scoring.
Score the fat
I made light cuts about an inch apart, creating a diamond pattern. It’s oddly satisfying work, and it gives the glaze a place to seep in. I pressed a clove into each intersection for that classic, old-fashioned look. As they roasted, the cloves released their aroma and made the kitchen smell like Christmas memories.
Add the oranges and water
I squeezed the juice of one orange over the ham, letting it trickle through the cuts. Then, I placed the orange quarters around the ham and poured water into the base of the baking dish. It’s these little touches that make the ham stay moist and flavorful during baking.
First glazing
Using a pastry brush, I coated the top and sides of the ham with half of the glaze. It immediately gave the surface a beautiful sheen. I didn’t worry about the underside—the glaze naturally drips down as it cooks, creating its own self-basting effect.
Bake and baste
I placed the ham in the lower third of the oven and let it roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Every 30 minutes, I opened the oven and basted generously with the remaining glaze and pan juices. Watching the glaze thicken and darken each time was my favorite part—it slowly turned into that perfect, sticky golden crust. If any spots browned too quickly, I loosely covered them with foil to keep the caramelization even.
Rest and serve
Once the ham was beautifully golden, I took it out and let it rest for about 20 minutes. This step makes all the difference—the juices settle, and the glaze firms up just enough to cling to every slice. Before serving, I brushed on a final coat of glaze from the pan, thick and syrupy by now, and the ham glistened under the light.
What Makes This Christmas Ham Glaze
What makes this Christmas Ham Glaze so special, at least for me, is how effortlessly it transforms something simple into something unforgettable. When I pulled the ham from the oven, the glaze had turned into a glossy, amber coat that looked almost too perfect to slice into.
Every bite carried a balance I didn’t expect—the smoky sweetness of maple, the spice of cloves, and just enough tang from the mustard to keep it interesting.
Christmas Ham Glaze is the kind of recipe that feels both nostalgic and new. There’s warmth in every flavor, and yet it doesn’t feel heavy or overly sweet. The best part? Christmas Ham Glaze looks as beautiful as it tastes, and it fills the house with that unmistakable scent of Christmas comfort. It’s a dish that feels like a celebration all on its own.
Christmas Ham Glaze Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (Approx.) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 380 kcal | Includes natural sugars from maple syrup and brown sugar. |
| Protein | 28 g | From the ham, providing a hearty and filling portion. |
| Total Fat | 18 g | Mostly from the ham’s natural marbling and glaze coating. |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g | Balanced by leaner cuts if desired. |
| Cholesterol | 95 mg | Typical for cured meats. |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g | Comes mainly from the maple syrup and brown sugar in the glaze. |
| Sugars | 20 g | Natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully during baking. |
| Sodium | 1150 mg | Ham is naturally salty, so no added salt is needed in this recipe. |
| Fiber | 0 g | Minimal, as the glaze ingredients are smooth and syrup-based. |
| Calcium | 25 mg | Slight contribution from spices and mustard. |
FAQs about Christmas Ham Glaze
What is the best glaze for a Christmas ham?
The best glaze is one that balances sweetness, spice, and a touch of acidity—and this recipe does exactly that. The mix of maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and warm spices creates a glaze that’s rich and layered without being overly sweet. I’ve tried a few versions over the years, but the maple-based glaze gives a beautiful shine and deep flavor that truly stands out on the holiday table.
Do you put glaze on ham before or after cooking?
From my experience, it’s best to start glazing once the ham goes into the oven and continue basting it throughout the baking time. Applying half of the glaze at the start helps the flavors soak into the surface, while basting every 30 minutes builds that glossy, caramelized finish. If you add it too early, it can burn; too late, and it won’t have enough time to develop its flavor. It’s all about layering as it cooks.
Can you glaze a ham the day before Christmas?
Absolutely—you can get a head start. I’ve done this before when I knew Christmas Day would be busy. You can score and prepare the ham the night before, even mix the glaze and refrigerate it separately. On the day of serving, warm the glaze slightly so it’s easy to brush on, then bake the ham fresh. This saves time without sacrificing that wonderful, just-cooked flavor.
What goes with ham at Christmas?
When I served my Christmas Ham Glaze, I paired it with roasted vegetables, buttery mashed potatoes, and a simple green bean casserole. The sweetness of the glaze goes beautifully with savory sides, and something fresh like a citrus salad or cranberry sauce helps balance the richness. If you want to keep the table festive, try serving it alongside comforting dishes like Pumpkin Cookies Recipe, Witch Cauldron Beef Stew, or a hearty Christmas Brunch Casserole Recipe—they all complement the flavors perfectly.
Conclusion
Making this Christmas Ham Glaze reminded me why I love cooking during the holidays—it’s about more than just the food. It’s the anticipation while the ham bakes, the sweet scent of maple and spice filling the kitchen, and the moment you slice into that glistening, caramelized surface knowing it turned out just right.
This Christmas Ham Glaze has become a holiday tradition in my home because it brings people together. It’s simple, elegant, and full of warmth—everything a Christmas meal should be.
Whether it’s your first time glazing a ham or you’ve done it for years, this Christmas Ham Glaze recipe delivers that perfect balance of comfort and celebration in every bite.
Looking for inspiration? Visit Elise Chef on Pinterest to explore beautifully curated high-fiber recipes and discover your next healthy habit.