The Perfect Caramelized Brown Sugar and Rum-Glazed Ham Recipe

Sweet and succulent, this caramelized brown sugar and rum-glazed ham brings festive flavors to your holiday table.

Pork enthusiasts will adore the rich, complex notes dancing across every slice.

Rum adds a sophisticated twist that elevates ordinary ham into something extraordinary.

Warm spices and golden-brown glaze create an irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen.

Guests will marvel at the glistening centerpiece, eager to sample each delectable bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe promises to become your new favorite special occasion showstopper.

You cannot wait to slice into this delightful masterpiece.

Why Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham Steals The Show

• Create Stunning Centerpiece: Impress guests with a beautifully scored and caramelized ham that looks professionally prepared, making your holiday table instantly Instagram-worthy.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: The rum and brown sugar glaze delivers a perfect balance of sweet and rich notes, transforming an ordinary ham into a gourmet experience that delights taste buds.
• Master Foolproof Technique: Scoring the ham creates beautiful diamond patterns and allows the glaze to penetrate deeply, ensuring every slice is packed with delicious caramelized flavor while keeping the meat moist and tender.
• Elevate Special Occasions: Ideal for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, or weekend dinner parties where you want to serve a showstopping main course that requires minimal hands-on cooking time.

Grab These Ingredients For Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham

• Ham: A succulent centerpiece cut with a classic diamond scoring pattern for enhanced flavor absorption and presentation.

• Brown Sugar, Rum, Dijon Mustard: A sweet, boozy, and tangy mixture that creates a rich, caramelized coating for the ham.

• Water: Provides moisture and helps prevent the ham from drying out during the initial roasting phase.

Simple Steps For Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Ham

Get your oven warming to 350°F. Grab a sharp knife and create a beautiful diamond pattern across the ham’s surface by making diagonal cuts about 1 inch deep.

Crisscross the cuts to form elegant diamond shapes that will help the glaze seep into every delicious crevice.

Step 2: Set Up for Roasting

Place the ham on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.

Pour water into the bottom of the pan to keep the meat moist. Wrap the entire pan tightly with aluminum foil to seal in the juices and create a steamy cooking environment.

Step 3: Initial Baking Process

Slide the covered ham into the center of the oven. Let it bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, allowing the meat to become tender and flavorful.

Step 4: Create the Magical Glaze

• Brown sugar
• Rum
• Dijon mustard

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy, creating a tantalizing coating for the ham.

Step 5: First Glaze Application

Carefully remove the ham from the oven and uncover it. Using a basting brush, generously coat the ham with the rum glaze, making sure to work the mixture into the diamond-cut grooves.

Step 6: Caramelize and Finish

Return the ham to the oven uncovered. Bake for 15 minutes, then pull it out and apply another layer of glaze.

Bake for an additional 15 minutes until the surface becomes beautifully caramelized with a rich, golden-brown color.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes.

This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring each slice is incredibly moist. Transfer to a stunning serving platter and prepare to wow your guests with this show-stopping centerpiece.

Sweet Tips For Rum-Glazed Ham With Brown Sugar

• Create diamond cuts carefully to help glaze penetrate and enhance flavor absorption throughout the ham.
• Select high-quality dark rum for deeper, richer caramelization and more complex taste profile.
• Cover ham with foil during initial baking to keep meat moist and prevent exterior from drying out or burning.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 140°F for perfect doneness and food safety.
• Brush glaze multiple times during final baking stage to build layers of sweet, sticky caramelization and maximize flavor depth.

Tasty Spins On Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham

• Maple Bourbon Glaze: Replace rum with bourbon and add pure maple syrup for a rich, woodsy flavor profile that complements the ham's natural sweetness.
• Pineapple Rum Infusion: Mix crushed pineapple chunks into the glaze, creating a tropical-inspired coating that adds tangy brightness and moisture to the ham.
• Spicy Honey Rum Blend: Incorporate hot honey or chili-infused honey into the glaze for a sweet and spicy kick that elevates the traditional ham recipe.
• Citrus Rum Zest: Add orange and lemon zest to the glaze mixture, introducing bright, fresh citrus notes that cut through the ham's richness.

What To Serve With Rum-Glazed Ham

• Elevate Rum-Glazed Ham Pairings
• Uncork Robust Red Wine: Zinfandel or Syrah perfectly complement the ham's sweet and rich rum glaze, balancing the caramelized flavors with their bold fruit notes.
• Create Tangy Side Salad: Prepare a citrus-dressed arugula salad with mandarin oranges and toasted almonds to cut through the ham's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match Spiced Cocktail Companion: Mix a classic Old Fashioned with dark rum instead of whiskey, echoing the ham's rum glaze and enhancing the overall dining experience with complementary warm spice undertones.

Smart Storage For Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham

• Refrigeration: Store leftover ham in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Slice ham into portion-sized pieces and place in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham slices in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Quick Option: Place ham slices on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Need Help? Caramelized Brown Sugar And Rum-Glazed Ham FAQs

• Why score the ham in a diamond pattern?

Scoring creates more surface area for the glaze to penetrate and helps the fat render more evenly, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham with crispy caramelized edges.

• Can I substitute the rum in the glaze?

Yes, you can replace rum with apple juice, pineapple juice, or orange juice for a non-alcoholic version that still provides depth and sweetness to the glaze.

• How do I know when the ham is fully heated?

Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, away from bone. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C) for a fully heated ham.

• What type of ham works best for this recipe?

A fully cooked, bone-in ham works best.

Caramelized Brown Sugar and Rum-Glazed Ham Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Brown sugar and rum glaze elevates this classic ham to new culinary heights. Rich Caribbean flavors mingle with succulent pork, creating a festive centerpiece you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) smoked ham, fully cooked, bone-in

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 grams) dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) dark rum
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Dijon mustard

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for even cooking.
2. Position the ham on a cutting board and create an intricate diamond pattern by making diagonal cuts approximately 1-inch deep across the surface, then rotating 90 degrees to intersect the initial cuts.
3. Carefully transfer the scored ham to a roasting pan equipped with a rack, pouring one cup of water into the pan’s base to maintain moisture during roasting.
4. Securely cover the ham with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap steam and prevent excessive drying.
5. Roast the ham in the center oven rack for 2 to 2.5 hours, allowing the meat to become tender and flavorful.
6. Whisk together brown sugar, rum, and Dijon mustard in a small mixing bowl until the mixture reaches a smooth, consistent texture.
7. Remove the foil and generously brush the glaze into the scored cuts, ensuring complete coverage of the ham’s surface.
8. Return the uncovered ham to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, allowing the initial glaze layer to caramelize and develop a rich, golden color.
9. Apply a second layer of glaze and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the exterior becomes glossy and deeply caramelized.
10. Allow the ham to rest briefly after removing from the oven, then transfer to a serving platter for elegant carving and presentation.

Notes

• Select a high-quality, bone-in ham for the most flavorful and tender result.
• Create precise diamond cuts to help the glaze penetrate deeper and enhance caramelization.
• Use dark rum for a richer, more complex flavor profile that complements the brown sugar’s sweetness.
• Adjust cooking time based on ham weight, typically 15-20 minutes per pound for optimal tenderness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 304
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 1170 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg