Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast – Easy Recipe!

Picture this: your home filled with the warm, inviting aroma of a holiday feast. Laughter echoing, joy in the air, and at the center of it all, a magnificent, glistening ham, ready to be carved. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, get ready to make that dream a delicious reality with our show-stopping Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast!

Forget the stress of elaborate holiday cooking. This recipe is designed to be incredibly easy, yielding spectacular results that will have everyone asking for seconds. We’re talking about a perfectly moist spiral ham, bathed in a vibrant, sweet-tart cranberry glaze that sings with notes of orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s the quintessential holiday dish that looks impressive but is delightfully simple to execute. Let’s dive into making your festive table unforgettable!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast! isn’t just another recipe; it’s your ticket to a stress-free, flavour-packed holiday celebration. Here are four reasons why this will become your new go-to:

1. Effortlessly Elegant: Starting with a pre-cooked spiral ham drastically cuts down on prep time. Most of the magic happens in the oven, allowing you to focus on other holiday joys (or just relax!). The glaze comes together in minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet coating.
2. Irresistible Flavor Symphony: The combination of tangy cranberry, sweet brown sugar, bright orange, and warm spices creates a glaze that is simply divine. It caramelizes beautifully on the ham, adding layers of sweet, savoury, and slightly tart notes that will tantalize every taste bud.
3. Guaranteed Moist & Tender: Our method of baking the ham with a little water and keeping it covered ensures every slice is incredibly juicy and tender, never dry. This is crucial for a large roast, ensuring consistent deliciousness from end to end.
4. Feeds a Crowd (and Delivers Delicious Leftovers!): A 6-8 pound ham generously serves 12 people, making it perfect for family gatherings or festive parties. Plus, any leftovers are a treasure trove for creative post-holiday meals, from sandwiches to ham hash.

Ingredients with Measurements

Gather these simple ingredients to create your spectacular Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast!:

• 🍖 6-8 pound pre-cooked spiral ham
• 🍒 14 ounces (about 1 can) jellied or whole cranberry sauce
• 🌰 ½ cup packed dark brown sugar (can be reduced for less sweetness)
• 🍊 ½ cup fresh orange juice (or apple/pineapple juice for a twist)
• ✨ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 🧂 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 🌿 ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 💧 ⅓ cup water

Detailed Step-by-Step Directions How to Make the Recipe

Follow these easy steps to bring your Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast! to life. Get ready for your kitchen to smell absolutely incredible!

1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to a welcoming 325°F (160°C). This gentle temperature ensures a moist, even bake.
2. Ham Placement: Carefully transfer your beautiful spiral ham into a large roasting pan or a sturdy baking dish. Pour ⅓ cup of water into the bottom of the pan – this little trick is key to keeping your ham wonderfully moist throughout the baking process.
3. Initial Bake: Cover the ham securely with aluminum foil. This seals in the moisture and allows the ham to gently warm through without drying out. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
4. Whip Up the Glaze: While your ham is happily baking, it’s glaze time! In a small saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Heat this vibrant mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. In just 3-5 minutes, it will bubble gently and thicken slightly into a beautiful, aromatic glaze. Remove it from the heat and set aside, ready for its big moment.
5. Glaze Time!: After the initial baking, carefully remove the ham from the oven. Discard the foil. Now, generously brush or spoon that irresistible cranberry glaze all over the ham, making sure to get into those lovely spirals. Don’t be shy!
6. Final Roast: Return the now-glazed ham to the oven, uncovered this time. Continue to cook for another 25 minutes. This is where the magic happens – the glaze will caramelize beautifully, creating a stunning, glossy finish and adding a delightful touch of sweetness and stickiness.
7. Serve & Enjoy: Once cooked to perfection, let the ham rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice is as tender and flavourful as possible. Perfect for your festive table!

Detailed Different Ways You Can Present the Recipe and How to Serve It

A Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast! is a centerpiece in itself, but with a few simple touches, you can elevate its presentation and create an unforgettable dining experience. Here’s how to serve it like a pro:

Presentation Perfection:

• Garnish Glamour: Once the ham is resting, transfer it to your most beautiful serving platter. Garnish around the base with fresh cranberries, bright orange slices (or twists), and sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme. The vibrant colours will make your ham truly pop!
• Carving Display: For a spiral ham, the slices are already made, but you can further separate them at the bone or base for easier serving. Arrange a few initial slices fanned out next to the main ham for an inviting display.

Serving Suggestions:

• Classic Holiday Spread: Pair your ham with traditional holiday sides like creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes), and fluffy dinner rolls. A side of vibrant sautéed asparagus or Brussels sprouts would also be fantastic.
• Sweet & Savoury Companions: Complement the ham’s sweetness with dishes like sweet potato casserole with a pecan topping, wild rice pilaf, or even a fresh winter salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Sauce on the Side: Offer extra warmed cranberry glaze on the side for those who want an additional drizzle. A tangy mustard sauce or a spoonful of apple chutney can also offer a lovely contrast.
• Leftover Creativity: Don’t let a single bite go to waste! Leftover ham is fantastic for sandwiches (especially on Hawaiian rolls!), breakfast hash, quiches, omelets, ham and bean soup, or even diced into a savoury pasta dish.

How You Can Store It and How Long Does It Last

Got leftovers from your amazing Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast!? Fantastic! Here’s how to store them safely and keep them delicious for as long as possible:

• Refrigeration: Once the ham has cooled to room temperature (within two hours of cooking), carve any remaining meat off the bone and store it in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. Refrigerate promptly.
• How Long It Lasts in the Fridge: Cooked ham, properly stored, will remain fresh and delicious for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: For longer storage, cooked ham freezes exceptionally well. Portion the ham into freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. You can freeze individual slices, diced ham, or larger chunks.
• How Long It Lasts in the Freezer: Frozen cooked ham can maintain its quality for 1 to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Tips:
  • Oven: For best results, reheat slices or a larger piece of ham in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C), covered with foil, until warmed through. This prevents drying.
  • Microwave: For smaller portions, the microwave works well. Heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until hot.

FAQs Section

1. Can I use a bone-in ham for this Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast!?

Yes, absolutely! The cooking time might vary slightly, but the general principle remains the same. A bone-in ham often adds even more flavour. Just ensure it’s pre-cooked.

2. What if I don’t have fresh orange juice?

No problem! Bottled orange juice works perfectly. You can also substitute with apple juice or pineapple juice for a slightly different, but equally delicious, tropical twist to the glaze.

3. Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the cranberry glaze up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, before brushing it onto the ham.

4. How do I know if my ham is cooked through?

Since you’re starting with a pre-cooked ham, the goal is to reheat it to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C) for safe consumption.

5. Can I reduce the sweetness of the glaze?

Certainly! The recipe calls for ½ cup of brown sugar, but you can reduce it to ¼ cup or even less, depending on your preference for sweetness and the tartness of your cranberry sauce.

6. What are some good side dishes to serve with this Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast!?

Classic pairings include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables (like Brussels sprouts or asparagus), green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and a fresh garden salad. Dinner rolls are also a must for soaking up any extra glaze!

7. Can I freeze leftover ham?

Yes, cooked ham freezes very well! Cut it into portions (slices, diced, or chunks) and store in airtight freezer bags or containers for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

8. How can I get a really crispy, caramelized glaze?

For an extra crispy glaze, consider increasing the oven temperature slightly (to 350°F/175°C) during the last 10-15 minutes of baking, or even briefly use the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching it *very* closely to prevent burning.

9. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this Festive Cranberry Glazed Ham Feast! recipe is naturally gluten-free, assuming your pre-cooked ham, cranberry sauce, and other ingredients do not contain any added gluten-containing components. Always check ingredient labels to be sure.

10. What’s the best way to slice a spiral ham?

A spiral ham is mostly pre-sliced. To serve, simply run your knife along the bone to release the slices from the bone, or if boneless, cut across the face of the ham to separate the spirals.

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