How to Glaze a Ham

A glaze is a sweet and tangy mixture, poured over or brushed onto the ham, that quickly caramelizes to a beautifully coloured coating.  

• Using a sharp knife and leaving a thin layer of fat, trim rind and any excess fat from ham
  
• Score rind or fat in a criss-cross pattern to make diamonds 
  
• About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, remove the roasting pan from the oven. Brush some of the prepared glaze over the ham
  
• Continue cooking for 30 minutes, brushing frequently with the remaining glaze. If the glaze is not caramelizing, increase the oven temperature to 375ºF and continue cooking until the glaze is slightly darker in colour and the ham looks richly covered  
  

Many ham recipes include a glaze. If not, or for a quick ham glaze, try one of these: 

• Tart applesauce and brown sugar, seasoned with cinnamon 
  
• Maple syrup and melted crabapple jelly  
  
• Maple syrup and lemon-lime soft drink 
  
• 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp dry mustard or 1 tbsp prepared mustard and 3 tbsp vinegar 
  
• 1/2 cup melted marmalade or apricot jam, 1/2 tsp dry mustard or 1 tbsp prepared mustard, 1/4 tsp ginger and 1 tbsp water 
  
• 1 cup crushed pineapple with 1 cup brown sugar; spread over the ham and baste with pineapple juice
  
• Juice of 2 oranges, 1/2 cup each of pineapple juice, corn syrup and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil and cool
  

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