Easy Baked Apricot Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze
Bringing sweet-and-savory cheer to every holiday plate.
If you’ve ever wanted a centerpiece that looks like you fussed for hours—but secretly didn’t—this Easy Baked Holiday Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze is your new festive MVP. The combination of warm cloves, tangy Dijon, and glossy apricot preserves delivers that nostalgic, old-school holiday flavor with a fresh twist. Think of it as the ham that practically bastes itself while you sip cocoa and cue up Elf.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses a fully cooked smoked ham—most of the work is already done.
- The glaze has just three ingredients yet tastes slow-simmered.
- Perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, entertaining, and meal prep.
- Minimal hands-on time with guaranteed “wow” factor.
- Pairs beautifully with sides like my Buttery Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe or sweet endings like Gingerbread Yule Log Recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 (6–7 lb) fully cooked smoked half ham
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon butter (no substitutes)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
How to Make Easy Baked Holiday Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze
Prep the ham: Place the ham, fat side up, in a shallow roasting pan (2–3 inches deep works best).
Score the surface: Using a sharp knife, gently cut the fat into a diamond pattern.
Add the cloves: Press whole cloves into the intersections of the scored lines.
Bake the ham: Transfer to a preheated 325°F oven and bake uncovered for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Make the glaze: While the ham bakes, combine the apricot preserves, butter, and Dijon mustard in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat until smooth and glossy.
Glaze the ham: Spoon the warm apricot mixture over the ham. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 140°F in the thickest section.
Finish and serve: Remove cloves before slicing. Allow the ham to rest briefly, then transfer to a serving platter. Makes 8–10 servings.
Expert Tips
- For extra caramelization, broil the ham for the final 2–3 minutes.
- If your ham has a thick rind, trim only the outer layer, leaving the fat for scoring.
- Baste halfway through the final bake for a glossier finish.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain its juices.
Variations & Creative Twists
- Spiced Apricot Glaze: Add cinnamon or ground ginger to the glaze.
- Citrus Burst: Replace half the apricot preserves with orange marmalade.
- Smoky Finish: Mix in a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Brown Sugar Shell: Sprinkle brown sugar over the ham before glazing for a crackly crust.
Serving Suggestions
This ham is delicious with comfort dishes like Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta or seasonal favorites like Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe.
Finish the meal with a festive treat like Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake.
Leftovers are excellent layered into sandwiches, folded into omelets, or added to casseroles.
FAQs
How long does cooked ham keep? Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days, tightly wrapped.
Can I use a spiral-cut ham? Yes—reduce the initial bake time by 15–20 minutes.
What if I don’t have apricot preserves? Peach, orange, or mango preserves work well.
Can I make this ahead? Yes—score, clove, and prep your glaze up to one day in advance.
More Recipe Ideas
- Try serving this ham alongside my Pecan Pie Recipe for a holiday menu that truly shines.
- If you enjoy glaze-forward dishes, you’ll love my Mustard-Maple Glazed Chicken Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Baked Holiday Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze turns any gathering into a celebration. With nostalgic flavors, a glossy finish, and almost no effort, it’s a guaranteed hit. For more festive favorites, check out my
Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe or Peppermint Bark Recipe.
Easy Baked Apricot Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze
This Easy Baked Apricot Ham with a Sticky-Sweet Glaze is the ultimate holiday centerpiece—beautifully caramelized, loaded with nostalgic flavor, and incredibly simple to make. A fully cooked smoked ham gets dressed in a glossy apricot-Dijon glaze and baked until tender and irresistible. It pairs perfectly with cozy classics like Buttery Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe and sweet holiday favorites such as Gingerbread Yule Log Recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 (6–7 lb) fully cooked smoked half ham
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon butter (no substitutes)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Position the ham, fat side up, in a shallow roasting pan about 2–3 inches deep.
- Score the fat lightly in a diamond pattern to help the flavors soak in.
- Press whole cloves into the intersections of the scored lines.
- Bake the ham uncovered at 325°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, gently heat the apricot preserves, butter, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Spoon the warm glaze over the ham and return it to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 140°F.
- Remove the cloves before slicing. Let the ham rest briefly, then serve warm.
Notes
Notes
- Keep scoring shallow to avoid cutting into the meat while still allowing the glaze to penetrate.
- Broil the ham for the final 2–3 minutes for a deeper caramelized finish.
- A ham with a thick rind may need just the outer layer trimmed before scoring.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain moisture.
- Leftovers are excellent in casseroles, sandwiches, or folded into omelets.
Recipe Suggestions
Enjoy this holiday ham alongside festive favorites like
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Autumn Chopped Salad Recipe
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake for dessert.
For more holiday inspiration, pair it with
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 37Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 155mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.