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Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

Brown sugar ham glaze with honey, mustard, and fruit juice gives a thick, glossy finish that clings to scored ham. Simmer it briefly until smooth and spoonable, then brush on during the final 30 minutes for shiny amber drips.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
honey
  • 0.25 cup honey
pineapple or orange juice
  • 0.25 cup pineapple or orange juice
Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
butter
  • 2 tbsp butter
apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
ground cloves
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Make the glaze
  1. Combine brown sugar, honey, pineapple or orange juice, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Stir until the mixture looks evenly blended.
  2. Bring the saucepan to a simmer over medium heat while stirring. Watch for the sugar to dissolve and the surface to show gentle bubbles.
  3. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze turns slightly thickened and glossy. When lifted on a spoon, it should coat and look shiny.
Glaze the ham
  1. Brush the glaze over a fully cooked ham during the last 30 minutes of baking. Apply it every 10 minutes so the diamond score gets glossy coverage and amber drips.
  2. Spoon the remaining warm glaze over sliced ham at the table. Serve while it is warm so it flows lightly over the meat.

Notes

Pro tip: Stir consistently during the simmer so the glaze stays smooth and dissolves fully; if it thickens too much while waiting, warm it briefly on low to loosen. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; rewarm on the stove until pourable. Freezing is not recommended because the glaze can lose its glossy texture. For a gluten-free swap, confirm the ham and any mustard brand are certified gluten-free (the glaze ingredients here are naturally gluten-free).