Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust
A festive baked ham glazed with maple syrup and crusted with brown sugar and cloves, perfect for celebrating American federal holidays. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs bone-in ham, pure maple syrup, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 pounds bone-in ham
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 20 cloves whole cloves
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of the 8-pound bone-in ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep and stud with 20 whole cloves at the intersections.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper until smooth.
- Step 3: Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush the glaze evenly over the surface. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Remove the foil and baste the ham with any pan juices. Continue baking uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours more, basting every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F and the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
- Step 5: Let the ham rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving warm with the pan juices spooned on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in ham from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Maple-Glazed Ham with Clove and Brown Sugar Crust?
American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of sweet and savory. My family kept asking for seconds.
- ★★★★★
This ham was a hit at my holiday dinner! The maple glaze and clove crust were perfect.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious! The clove and brown sugar crust made it so festive.
