There’s something magical about a Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe that makes the holiday table instantly festive and welcoming. The sweet, sticky glaze combining rich maple syrup and warm spices transforms a simple ham into a showstopper that your family and guests will be buzzing about long after the last slice is gone. I love how this recipe effortlessly blends traditional holiday flavors with a hint of tropical pineapple juice, making every bite a delicious surprise.

Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or a cozy dinner with close friends, this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe fits perfectly. It’s one of those dishes that feels special enough for the holidays but easy enough to make without stress. Over the years, I’ve found that the glaze really seals in the juiciness and aroma, so if you want your ham to be the star of your feast, this is definitely the recipe to try.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is all about the balance between sweet, savory, and spice. When you shop, focus on fresh ingredients like quality maple syrup and real butter for that extra depth of flavor.

Bone-in fully cooked ham: Choosing a bone-in ham helps keep the meat juicy and tender during reheating and glazing.
Pineapple juice: Adds a bright, fruity acidity that cuts through the sweetness and enhances the glaze’s complexity.
Water: Used to help keep the ham moist as it bakes and blends the glaze evenly.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness without overpowering the other glaze ingredients; plus, it helps caramelize the sugar nicely.
Brown sugar: The deep molasses flavor pairs perfectly with maple syrup for that warm, cozy holiday taste.
Maple syrup: Your star ingredient—real maple syrup provides a natural sweetness and a beautiful glossy finish.
Dijon mustard: Offers just the right amount of tang and subtle heat to balance the sweet elements.
Ground cinnamon: A pinch of warm spice that evokes those classic holiday flavors.
Ground cloves: Adds aroma with a slight hint of earthiness, complementing the cinnamon nicely.
Garlic cloves, smashed: Infuses the glaze with a subtle savory depth without overpowering the sweetness.

Variations

This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is a fantastic base, but I love mixing things up depending on the mood or guests. Don’t be afraid to tweak it to make it your own—you’ll enjoy discovering your perfect twist!

Spicy Kick: Once, I added a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze. It gave the ham a subtle heat that paired amazingly with all the sweet notes—perfect if you enjoy a little spice during the holidays.
Orange Maple Glaze: Squeezing fresh orange juice instead of pineapple juice adds a citrusy brightness that freshened up the glaze beautifully one Christmas when we wanted a lighter touch.
Honey Swap: If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, you can substitute honey. It changes the flavor a bit but keeps the glaze deliciously sweet.
Smoked Ham Variation: I’ve also tried this on a smoked ham, and the smoky undertones combined with the glaze’s sweetness made for a really unique festive dish.

How to Make Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ham for Glazing

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C) and placing the bone-in cooked ham in a large roasting pan. I usually score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8 inch deep—it helps the glaze soak in and caramelize beautifully during baking. If your ham has a thick layer of fat, don’t be afraid to trim a little off so the glaze can really penetrate.

Step 2: Make the Maple Glaze

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, water, unsalted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and smashed garlic cloves. Stir everything together until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly—you’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon. This glaze is where all the flavor magic happens, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Glaze and Bake

Brush a generous amount of the glaze all over the ham, making sure it seeps into those cuts you scored earlier. Tent the ham loosely with aluminum foil to keep it moist, then bake for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours—using 15-18 minutes per pound as a general rule. Every 20-30 minutes, baste the ham with more glaze to build up that sticky, shimmering coat.

Step 4: Final Caramelization

For the last 15-20 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent and give the ham a final thick layer of glaze. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) to let the glaze caramelize and deepen in color. Keep an eye on it—if the sugar starts to burn, lower the temperature slightly. This step gives you that irresistible glossy finish that makes everyone go “wow.”

How to Serve Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I always love garnishing my ham with fresh rosemary sprigs and a handful of pomegranate seeds. The rosemary adds a beautiful piney aroma that’s perfect for the holidays, and the pomegranate seeds bring a pop of color and a touch of tartness that pairs well with the sweet glaze.

Side Dishes

This ham shines brightest alongside classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, and a bright cranberry-orange sauce. For a bit of crunch, I also throw together a simple green salad with toasted pecans and a light vinaigrette. Trust me—your holiday meal will feel complete and balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress your guests, try arranging slices of ham in a decorative spiral on a large serving platter, drizzling some extra maple glaze on top and finishing with your garnishes. One year, I even served small ham sliders with maple mustard sauce for the kids—they were a big hit and a fun alternative for a casual party vibe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the feast, I slice any leftover ham and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Keeping the glaze on the slices helps maintain moisture and flavor during storage. For best taste, consume within 4-5 days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover ham slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap then foil before placing in a freezer bag. It freezes well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep the texture tender.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend wrapping slices or the whole ham portion loosely in foil and warming gently in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot through. This prevents drying out and keeps the glaze nice and sticky. You can brush on a little extra maple glaze while reheating, too, to brighten up the flavors.

FAQs

Can I use a spiral sliced ham for this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe?

Absolutely! Using a spiral sliced ham can save time since it’s already pre-sliced for serving. Just be gentle when glazing so the slices don’t separate too much. Brush the glaze carefully and bake as directed to allow the flavors to soak in.
Is this glaze suitable for a boneless ham?

Yes, this Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe works just fine with boneless ham. The cooking time may be a bit shorter, so keep an eye on the glaze caramelization to avoid drying out the ham. Boneless ham tends to be a little leaner, so the glaze really helps keep it juicy.
Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Definitely! You can make the maple glaze a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just warm it gently before brushing it on the ham to make it easy to spread. It actually helps the flavors develop more fully when it sits overnight.
What if I’m short on time?

If time is tight, you can skip the repeated basting steps and simply apply the glaze halfway through baking, then a final coat before finishing at a higher heat for caramelization. It won’t be quite as layered in flavor but still delicious and impressive.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart. It’s the recipe I reach for when I want to turn a simple ham into an unforgettable centerpiece filled with sweet, spiced goodness and lots of warmth. I hope you’ll try it out and find as much joy in making and sharing it as I have—it really makes the Christmas table feel complete.

Christmas Maple Glazed Ham Recipe