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Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

Brown Sugar Ham Glaze made on the stovetop with a honey-juice base that turns slightly thick and glossy in minutes. Brush it onto a scored, fully cooked ham during the last 30 minutes for an amber sheen and drips that cling to the diamond pattern.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brown sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar Packed for best thickness.
Honey and juice base
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup pineapple or orange juice Use either juice for a fruity sweetness.
Flavorings
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 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, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy, stirring occasionally and watching for a smooth amber sheen.
Glaze the ham
  1. Brush the warm glaze over a fully cooked ham during the last 30 minutes of baking, applying a new coat every 10 minutes while the surface is still hot.
  2. Spoon the remaining warm glaze over sliced ham at the table for extra shine.

Notes

For the glossiest coating, keep the glaze warm and stir before each brushing so it stays smooth and pourable. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 5 days and rewarm gently until loosened; freezing is not recommended due to texture changes. For a lighter option, use reduced-sugar honey and replace butter with 1 tbsp olive oil spreadable enough to melt, keeping the rest the same.