Baked Ham With a Brown Sugar, Rum and Cayenne Glaze

Karen From Colorado's Note:

This spicy-sweet glaze is brushed on during baking to give the ham a golden brown appearance and to compliment the meat. The drippings are used to make a sauce to serve along side the ham slices. Use the glaze partway through cooking to prevent the sugars in the glaze from scorching.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 12 lbs ham, bone in
• 1/4 cup whole cloves, for studding
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Using a large knife, cut off the skin and all but 1/4 inch of the fat from the ham, leaving the surface as smooth as possible.
3. Score the top and sides of the ham diagonally in two opposite directions about 1 1/2 inches apart, creating a diamond pattern.
4. Stick a clove into the corners of each diamond.
5. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan.
6. Add the apple cider and 2 cups water to the pan; bake for 2 hours, adding more water after an hour if needed.
7. While ham bakes, combine the brown sugar, rum, salt and cayenne pepper to taste in a bowl; stir until smooth; let stand for 10 minutes to allow sugar to dissolve partially.
8. Remove ham from the oven and brush the glaze evenly over the ham; reserve the leftover glaze.
9. Return the ham to the oven and bake for 1 hour longer, brushing with the glaze every 15 minutes.
10. Transfer ham to a large platter and cover loosely with foil; allow to rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
11. While ham rests, pour the liquid from the roasting pan into a fat separator or a large glass measuring pitcher; let the fat rise to the surface, then pour or spoon off as much fat as possible; float a piece of paper towel on the surface to absorb the remaining fat.
12. Pour the degreased liquid into a small saucepan and add the remaining glaze to make a sauce; rewarm and pour in a sauceboat.
13. Serve ham warm with the sauce.

Reviews

[Lady Dancer]

What a great addition to my Holiday meal planning! The glaze is just the best - it's that sweet-hot flavor that just got me, and my DH is sold too. Thanks!