Baked Ham with Apple Cider Pecan Glaze

Baked Ham with Apple Cider-Pecan Glaze

Serves 8-10

This is a simple but show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday dinner table. A sweet, slightly tangy glaze is brushed all over a smoked, pre-sliced ham, then gilded with golden-brown crunchy pecans. The spiral-cut ham is already fully cooked, so the goal is to get it hot throughout and create a gorgeous crust.

For the Ham

1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (about 7-8 lbs)

1/2 to 1 cup apple cider

2 fresh bay leaves

For the Glaze

1/2 cup apple cider

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup honey

pinch cayenne

3/4 cup chopped pecans, more to garnish

Preheat the oven to 300˚F and let the ham come to room temperature. Place ham in a roasting pan or casserole dish. Pour enough apple cider into the pan to a depth of about 1/4 inch, then add bay leaves. Cover tightly with foil and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for about 15 minutes per pound, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 120°F.

While the ham cooks, make the glaze. Whisk together ½ cup apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon, honey, and cayenne in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently until glaze is thick and syrupy, about 10-15 minutes.

When the ham is hot throughout, remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 375°F. Brush ham all over with about 2/3 of the glaze. Return to the oven uncovered for 15 minutes, until the glaze starts to caramelize and form a crust on top.

Stir pecans into the remaining glaze, then spoon over the top of the ham, gently separating the slices so the glaze seeps into the ham. Cook until the glaze sizzles and the crust is golden brown (but before the pecans burn), about 10 minutes longer.

Transfer the ham to a serving platter. Garnish with additional pecans if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours