The perfect combination of sweet and savory, this Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham is glazed with a mixture of cherries, brown sugar, mustard and cinnamon.
This is the perfect holiday ham! Serve it up for Christmas or Easter or really any other day of the year!
When it comes to Thanksgiving, I’m less about the turkey, and all about the side dishes.
But when it comes to Easter, the ham is right up there with the side dishes.
Especially if it’s this Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham.
This is the perfect ham for the sweet and savory lovers. I will never turn down ham in any form, but there is something about the combination of the cherries and the ham that is just magical to me.
This is the perfect holiday addition!
Ingredients
- Ham: I made this ham with an unsliced smoked ham, but I know that spiral cut hams are much easier to find these days. You could use a sliced ham – you just won’t need to score the ham.
- Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar, but you could use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Mustard: You want a ground mustard, or even dijon mustard would work. I wouldn’t use regular yellow mustard.
- Cherry Jam or Preserves: You don’t want to use jelly, because you want those big chunks of cherries.
- Cinnamon: I like the bold hit of cinnamon, but you can cut this back if you don’t want as much cinnamon flavor.
How to Make a Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham
STEP 1: Prep the ham by removing it from any packaging and placing it on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. You’ll want the fat side up if using a whole smoked ham. If using a spiral cut ham, place it cut side down.
STEP 2: Place the ham in the oven and set a timer for 13-15 minutes per pound. You’ll want the ham to reach 140ºF.
STEP 3: When you have 1 hour of cooking time left, remove the ham from the oven and score the top of the ham (if using a whole ham).
STEP 4: Combine the cherry preserves, brown sugar, mustard, and cinnamon. Heat this in a small saucepan until it comes to a boil.
STEP 5: Brush 1/3 of the glaze over the ham, then return the ham to the oven. Cook for 30 minutes.
STEP 6: After the 30 minutes is up, brush 1/2 of the remaining glaze over the ham and return the ham to the oven.
STEP 7: Reserve the remaining glaze to serve at the table.
Tips and Tricks
- I love a good glazed ham, but what I hate is that you don’t always get the flavor of the glaze on the entire ham. So make sure you save some of this glaze to serve at the table, because the flavors compliment the ham so well. And you could even make extra glaze and use it on sandwiches after the holiday meal is over!
- If you are worried about your ham drying out, you can cover it with foil for the first portion, until you start glazing it.
- You want to cook your ham to an internal temperature of 140ºF. An instant read thermometer is super helpful here.
- This ham can be served warm or at room temperature, but I prefer it warm with warmed glaze.
Serving Suggestions
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Lion House Rolls
Steph’s Summer Salad
More Ham Recipes
Root Beer Glazed Ham
Honey Glazed Ham
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Crock Pot Ham
Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze Recipe
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Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 Hickory Smoked or Spiral Cut Ham (12-18 lb)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry jam or preserves
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Remove the ham from the bag and place on a rack in a roasting pan, fat side up.1 Hickory Smoked or Spiral Cut Ham
- Heat ham to an internal temperature of 140ºF, about 13-15 minutes per pound.
- About 1 hour before the ham is done cooking, score the ham in a diamond pattern.
- Combine the jam, brown sugar, mustard and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a boil.1 1/2 cups cherry jam or preserves, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Brush 1/3 of the glaze over the ham. Let cook for 30 minutes, then brush another 1/3 of the glaze over the ham. Reserve the remaining 1/3 of the glaze for serving. Continue to cook until done.
- Serve the ham hot or cold.
Becky says
can I use a precooked ham?
Deborah says
Yep – most hams will come precooked. You’ll want to heat it through to 160ºF, which is usually 10-15 minutes per pound.
Heidi says
I know ham is usually just served at holidays, but we actually really love it all the time. And this recipe was a delicious way to change things up.
John Miles says
Could you make this glaze the day before using?
Deborah says
You can – you’ll just want to heat it up before adding it to the ham so that it will spread easily.
Jane B says
This was super easy and delicious. I used sour cherry preserves. My only advice would be to cut the cinnamon in half so it doesn’t overpower the sauce. Yum!
Deborah says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This ham looks amazing Deborah! What a fabulous glaze!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This ham looks so delicious! I’m loving the addition of cherries…yum!
Chels R. says
OKay, that just looks incredible!
Jenn @ Mother Thyme says
I am drooling over this glaze! What a great combination and so easy!
amanda @ fake ginger says
mmm, that looks so good! I was thinking about skipping a big ham this year since my husband is deployed but… I really want to make this now!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
This is perfect for Easter coming up! Our family always has ham at Easter. I’ll have to show this recipe to my mom 🙂