If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s as comforting as it is delicious, this Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe is your new best friend. It combines the sweet richness of honey with a perfectly spiced glaze that caramelizes beautifully on a tender, spiral-sliced ham — trust me, every bite is pure magic!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Effortlessly impressive: Despite its gourmet look and flavor, this recipe is surprisingly easy to put together, perfect for any home cook.
Flavor explosion: The warm spices blend with honey for a glaze that’s sweet, aromatic, and perfectly balanced.
Perfect for gatherings: A spiral ham serves a crowd easily, making it ideal for holiday feasts, Sunday dinners, or special occasions.
Versatile leftovers: The savory-sweet ham works beautifully in sandwiches, salads, or breakfast hash the day after.

The image shows a large, spiral-sliced ham with many layers. Each layer is pink inside and has a shiny, caramelized brown edge. The ham is placed on a white plate with a decorative pattern along the edge. In front of the ham, there are fresh green herbs, including parsley and rosemary, arranged neatly. The background has a white marbled texture, with some blurred glassware and plants visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze, baked ham, holiday ham recipe, glazed ham, festive ham ideas

Ingredients & Substitutions

The beauty of this Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe lies in its simplicity. Every ingredient serves a meaningful purpose—adding layers of flavor, enhancing texture, or bringing warmth and color to the glaze. Whether you’re sticking to classics or looking to swap in your favorite pantry items, these components come together to create something truly special.

Flat lay of a spiral-cut fully cooked ham showcasing its rich, glazed surface, surrounded by small piles of brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a sprinkle of onion powder, alongside a glossy pool of melted butter and a drizzle of golden honey, all beautifully arranged with warm, natural lighting placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze, baked ham, holiday ham recipe, glazed ham, festive ham ideas

Spiral Ham: Choose a fully cooked, 8-10 lb spiral ham; it’s already tender and perfect for glazing.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps the honey and glaze stick beautifully to the ham’s surface.
Honey: Provides natural sweetness and a lovely sticky texture that caramelizes during baking.

Brown Sugar: Deepens the sweetness and promotes a rich, golden crust on the glaze.
Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, onion powder): These warm, fragrant spices create a cozy, inviting flavor profile that elevates the ham.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Remove all packaging and discard that little plastic disk at the bottom of the ham — it’s there to protect the bone, but we don’t need it roasting in the oven. Pour about half a cup of water into a shallow roasting pan to keep things juicy, then place your ham cut side down. This foundation sets the stage for a moist and flavorful finish.

Step 2: Honey Butter Coating

Combine 2 tablespoons of melted butter and the honey, then generously coat the outside of the ham using a basting brush. This simple step gives the ham a beautifully glossy finish and kickstarts the sweet flavor journey. After coating, cover the ham with foil and pop it into the oven, baking it low and slow — about 10-15 minutes per pound — until it hits an internal temperature of 135°F. Patience here brings out the best results.

Step 3: Mix the Warm Spiced Glaze

Just before your ham reaches 135°F, it’s time to prepare the glaze. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter, brown sugar, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl. The combination creates a warm, inviting glaze that will coat the ham with a layer of irresistible flavor and a golden, caramelized crust.

Step 4: Glaze and Finish Roasting

Once the ham reaches the target temperature, take it out of the oven and crank the heat up to 425°F. Brush it liberally with the spiced glaze, making sure each spiral slice gets some love. Return the ham uncovered to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until the glaze bubbles, caramelizes, and turns that perfect golden brown, pushing the ham’s internal temperature to 140°F.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes — this resting time is key to juicy, tender slices. If you like, spoon some of the pan juices back over the ham before serving for an extra burst of flavor and moisture. And voilà, you’ve got a stunning Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze ready to delight everyone at your table!

How to Serve Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe

A large piece of cooked ham with a glossy, shiny brown glaze covers the whole top surface, showing a crisscross pattern. The ham sits inside a silver metal baking pan filled partly with brown sauce or juices. A silver brush with black bristles is held by a woman's hand, spreading the glaze on the side of the ham. The pan rests on a white marbled surface with a brown wooden chopping board partially visible on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze, baked ham, holiday ham recipe, glazed ham, festive ham ideas

Garnishes

Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme add a lovely fragrant touch and a pop of color, while thin slices of orange or pineapple can enhance the ham’s natural sweetness and offer a pleasing citrus contrast. Don’t hesitate to sprinkle a few crunchy pecans around the platter for texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This ham pairs wonderfully with classic mashed potatoes, buttery green beans, or roasted root vegetables. For a bit of brightness, consider a crisp apple slaw or a tangy cranberry relish. The warm spice glaze actually complements both savory and sweet sides beautifully, making every bite an excellent balance of flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the spiral slices fan-style on a wooden carved board or a festive serving platter for eye-catching presentation. Drizzle some extra warm glaze over the ham at the table and let guests serve themselves. Adding seasonal decorations around the platter—think fresh pine sprigs for winter or edible flowers in warmer months—really elevates the whole experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover ham tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious and moist for up to 4 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy those flavorful slices again and again.

Freezing

To freeze, slice the ham into portions and place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. Removing as much air as possible prevents freezer burn. Frozen ham can keep well for up to 2 months—ready to thaw and reheat whenever craving strikes.

Reheating

Reheat leftover ham gently in the oven at 275°F, covered with foil to retain moisture. Warm through for about 10-15 minutes per pound or until heated completely. You can reapply a little leftover glaze before reheating to recapture that fresh, sticky finish.

FAQs

Can I use a bone-in ham for this recipe?

Absolutely! A bone-in spiral ham works beautifully because it helps the meat keep its moisture. Just make sure the ham is fully cooked before starting this recipe for best results.

What if I don’t have a thermometer to check the internal temperature?

While a thermometer is helpful for perfect cooking, if you don’t have one, bake the ham for about 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F covered, then apply the glaze and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the glaze caramelizes. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir and reheat slightly before brushing it onto the ham for a perfectly smooth application.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your ham and spices don’t have any hidden gluten additives. Always double-check labels to be sure.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe enough—it’s warm, comforting, and festive all at once. Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a special Sunday dinner, this ham will bring smiles and satisfy appetites like no other. Give it a try and get ready to enjoy a radiant centerpiece that your family and friends will rave about for years to come!

Honey Baked Ham with Warm Spiced Glaze Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 139 reviews

Author: Olivia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: Serves 10–12 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Honey Baked Ham Recipe features a fully cooked spiral ham coated with a luscious honey and butter mixture, then finished with a warm, spiced brown sugar glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special dinners, this recipe results in a tender, flavorful ham with a beautifully caramelized crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham

8–10 lb spiral ham, fully cooked
¼ cup melted butter, divided
3 tablespoons honey

Ham Glaze

¾ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the ham.

Prepare Ham: Remove the packaging and discard the plastic disk from the bottom of the ham. Place a shallow roasting pan on your work surface and pour ½ cup of water into it. Position the ham cut side down in the roasting pan to maintain juiciness during cooking.
Apply Honey Butter Coating: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of melted butter and the honey. Using a basting brush, evenly coat the outside of the ham with this mixture for a sweet and glossy base layer of flavor.
Bake Covered: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and bake in the preheated oven. Allow it to bake for 10 to 15 minutes per pound, until it reaches an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature accurately.

Make the Glaze: While the ham cooks, prepare the glaze by combining the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter, brown sugar, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Glaze and Increase Oven Temperature: Once the ham reaches 135°F, remove it from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C). Brush the ham generously with the prepared glaze to enhance flavor and create a caramelized crust.
Final Roast Uncovered: Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and roast for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Monitor until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) and the glaze turns golden brown and slightly crisp.

Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Before serving, spoon some of the pan juices over the ham for extra moisture and flavor if desired.

Notes

Ensure you monitor the internal temperature with a reliable meat thermometer for perfectly cooked ham.
Letting the ham rest after cooking allows it to retain its juices and enhances tenderness.

The glaze ingredients can be adjusted to taste; adding a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg intensifies the warm spice flavor.
Use a shallow roasting pan to collect flavorful pan juices that can be spooned over the ham when serving.
If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce brown sugar by a quarter cup.