To bake a ham, follow these general steps for a delicious, glazed result:

Preparation

• Remove the ham from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours to ensure even cooking

• Preheat your oven to around 325°F (163°C)

Scoring and Placing the Ham

• Score the surface of the ham in a diamond or crosshatch pattern about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep to help the glaze penetrate and caramelize

• Optionally, stud the ham with whole cloves in the scored diamonds for added flavor

• Place the ham fat side up in a roasting pan. Add a small amount of water (about 1/2 inch deep) to the pan to keep the ham moist

Cooking Time

• Calculate cooking time based on the weight of the ham. Typically, bake for about 10 to 20 minutes per pound at 325°F until the internal temperature reaches about 110°F to 140°F, depending on the recipe and whether the ham is pre-cooked (most store-bought hams are pre-cooked and just need reheating)

• Cover the ham loosely with foil for most of the baking time to retain moisture

Making and Applying the Glaze

• Prepare a glaze using ingredients like brown sugar, honey, mustard, maple syrup, fruit juice, or preserves. Common combinations include brown sugar with Dijon mustard and pineapple juice or apricot preserves with honey and butter

• About 30 to 45 minutes before the ham is done, remove the foil and brush the ham generously with the glaze.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400-425°F (204-218°C) and bake uncovered, glazing the ham every 10-15 minutes to build a caramelized, sticky crust

Finishing and Resting

• Once the ham reaches an internal temperature of about 140°F (60°C), remove it from the oven.
• Let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute

Carving and Serving

• Carve the ham by slicing against the grain or removing large chunks and slicing them thinly

• Serve with pan juices or any remaining glaze.

This method yields a flavorful, moist baked ham with a beautifully caramelized glaze

. Adjust glaze ingredients and cooking times based on your ham size and personal taste preferences.