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Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

Brown Sugar Ham Glaze made with honey, pineapple/orange juice, and Dijon for a glossy, amber finish. Simmered until slightly thickened, then brushed onto a scored ham during the final bake for deep caramelization.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed for best thickness
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup pineapple or orange juice use either juice for the flavor profile
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp butter for richness and smoother melt
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar adds balance
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Make the glaze
  1. Combine brown sugar, honey, pineapple or orange juice, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium heat until the mixture reaches a simmer, stirring so the sugar dissolves, 3-5 minutes.
  3. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and glossy.
Glaze the ham
  1. Brush the warm glaze over a fully cooked ham during the last 30 minutes of baking, re-brushing every 10 minutes.
  2. Spoon the remaining warm glaze over sliced ham at the table.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the glaze warm so it stays brushable and glossy—reheat gently over low heat if it thickens. Store leftover glaze covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days; rewarm before using. Freezing is not recommended because the texture can separate after thawing. For a less sweet option, replace honey with maple syrup or reduce honey by 1-2 tbsp while keeping the rest the same.