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Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ham
Sticky, caramelized, and deeply savory, this glazed spiral ham steals the show at any holiday table. A homemade syrup of melted butter, dark brown sugar, and a generous pour of bourbon transforms a standard store-bought ham into something spectacular. You'll love how the final broil creates a bubbly, crisp crust that perfectly balances the rich, salty meat. It's an impressive centerpiece that looks like it took all day, but actually requires very little hands-on work.
Ingredients
- 8 TO 10 SERVINGS
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup bourbon
- 6- to 9-pound spiral ham
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- 2Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the dark brown sugar and cook until it dissolves completely. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully mix in the bourbon.
- 3Set the spiral ham in an oven-safe baking dish. Pour half of the bourbon glaze over the meat, setting the remaining glaze aside for later.
- 4Bake the ham for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
- 5Carefully pour the reserved glaze evenly over the baked ham.
- 6Switch the oven to the broil setting. Broil the ham for about 5 minutes until the glaze becomes bubbly and forms a rich crust. Watch it closely here, as the high sugar content can burn quickly.
Notes
- Safety tip: Always remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the bourbon to prevent flare-ups.
- Storage: Keep leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the glaze up to 3 days in advance. Gently reheat it on the stove until it's pourable before using.