Glazed Ham
We usually have 6-8 guests at our gatherings, so I bought a 9 lb bone-in half ham, but this recipe is enough glaze for a larger full-size ham, up to 20 lbs.
JUMP TO RECIPE
This delicious glazed ham recipe can be enjoyed anytime of the year. Our family has always traditionally served ham at Christmas and Easter. The glaze is made from my son’s favorite beverage, Cheerwine!
Created in 1917, Cheerwine is a cherry flavored soda that is huge in North Carolina. Salisbury, it’s hometown, holds a Cheerwine festival every year, serving up anything from Cheerwine tacos, Cheerwine popcorn and funnel cakes, to good old-fashioned Cheerwine floats. It’s truly a beloved festival that my son looks forward to every year. For more information on this fun southern festival, check out there website at this link: HERE.
NOTE: You can substitute Cheerwine for other dark colas, such as coke or Dr. P, but if you’re from North Carolina…it’s just wrong! Use that burgundy-red, bubbly, effervescent goodness!
What size ham do I need? We usually have 6-8 guests at our gatherings, so I bought a 9 lb. bone-in half ham, but this recipe is enough glaze for a larger full-size ham, up to 20 lbs. Generally speaking, the best practice for choosing the right size for a bone-in ham is to go by 1/2 lb. weight per person, and then some. You’ll have some people eat more, some eat less, and you’ll always have some people that want leftovers (like me!)
Let’s Begin!
Ingredients:
Bone-in, fully-cooked smoked ham, whatever size you need for the amount of people at gathering. A half ham (around 8-10 lbs) feeds up to 8 people(with leftovers), or a full-size ham, 18-20 lbs, feeds around 20 adults.
Whole cloves, about 40-50 (optional)
3 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup spicy brown mustard
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
One 12 oz can Cheerwine (or a dark soda)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300℉ / 155℃, then get out that big ugly ham.
You will want to leave the layer of fat, it will make your ham SO juicy! I know it’s not a pretty sight right now, but the end result is praiseworthy from everyone who gets the pleasure of enjoying it!
Why add whole cloves to a ham? Not only do the cloves add a wonderful flavor touch to the ham, but the aroma is also amazing as it bakes. They also add a beautiful, bejeweled look to your ham for a lovely presentation and are easily removed before consuming the ham.
After putting ham in the oven, you can get a few things done before company comes,
…or starting on the side dishes!
Glaze:
Now, for the star of the show…
Just look at that beautiful Cheerwine!
So to begin the glaze, find a tall medium or large saucepot and add the brown sugar, spicy mustard, vinegar and of course, the star of the glaze….Cheerwine!
After at least three rounds of glazing, remove your ham from oven and let cool about 5-10 minutes before removing cloves and trimming off the fat, then slice!