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Welcome to a delicious culinary journey featuring our star dish, the Apple Orchard Bliss Glazed Ham. This recipe embodies the warm flavors of autumn with a delightful balance of sweet and savory, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday gatherings or special occasions. Using a fully cooked bone-in ham as the base, our glaze combines the richness of apple cider with the aromatic spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a mouthwatering experience for your guests. Let’s explore the ingredients, preparation, and cooking methods that will transform this simple ham into a show-stopping dish.

Apple Cider Glazed Ham

Discover the magic of autumn flavors with our Apple Orchard Bliss Glazed Ham recipe. This mouthwatering dish features a fully cooked bone-in ham, drizzled with a sweet and savory glaze made from rich apple cider, brown sugar, and aromatic spices. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this ham is easy to prepare and an impressive centerpiece for any occasion. Elevate your dining experience with this delicious recipe that promises to create unforgettable moments with family and friends.
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Ingredients
  

1 fully cooked bone-in ham (7-9 pounds)

2 cups apple cider

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup applewood smoked bacon pieces (optional, for added flavor)

Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

    Prepare the Ham: Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern (about 1/4 inch deep), making sure to not cut too deep into the meat. This will help the glaze penetrate and provide a lovely appearance once baked.

      Make the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, and the mixture reduces slightly, about 10-15 minutes. If using, stir in the bacon pieces and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to incorporate the smoky flavor.

        Glaze the Ham: Place the ham in a roasting pan with the cut side down. Brush a generous amount of the glaze over the entire surface of the ham, ensuring to get it into the scored parts so it can caramelize beautifully.

          Bake the Ham: Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven. Heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the remaining glaze (remove the foil for the last 30 minutes to allow for caramelization), until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

            Caramelize: For added caramelization, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, while allowing a deep golden color to develop.

              Rest & Slice: Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute.

                Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs if desired, and serve slices warm with extra glaze drizzled on top. This pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes.

                  Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 3 hours | Servings: 12-15 servings