Imagine a ham so incredibly succulent and glazed that your guests can't stop talking about it – this Fig Glazed Spiral Baked Ham is that showstopper! With a perfect balance of sweet fig preserves, rich brown sugar, and a hint of spicy Dijon mustard, this recipe transforms an ordinary ham into a culinary masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you're hosting a holiday feast, a family dinner, or simply craving something extraordinary, this ham promises to be the star of your dining table.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 spiral-cut ham (6-8 pounds)
- 1 cup fig preserves
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the ham from refrigeration and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- Place the spiral-cut ham in a large roasting pan, flat side down. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying during initial cooking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together fig preserves, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves until the glaze is smooth and well combined.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The general rule is to cook ham for about 15-20 minutes per pound.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the foil and begin brushing the ham generously with the fig glaze every 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and create a rich, glossy coating.
- Check the internal temperature of the ham using a meat thermometer. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Slice the ham along the spiral cuts and serve warm, drizzling any remaining glaze over the top for extra flavor.
Tips
- • Allow the ham to come to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking • Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the perfect doneness • Baste the ham frequently during the last 30 minutes to create a beautiful, caramelized glaze • Let the ham rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender • For extra flavor, you can score the surface of the ham before glazing • If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning • Serve with complementary sides like roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to complete the meal
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg
