Nona’s Orange-Glazed Easter Ham – A Sweet, Citrusy
Nona’s Orange-Glazed Easter Ham is a baked ham coated in a sweet and tangy orange glaze made from fresh juice, brown sugar, and spices. The ham is slowly roasted, allowing the glaze to caramelize and infuse the meat with rich, citrusy flavor. The result is a juicy, tender ham with a beautifully golden exterior. Perfect as a holiday centerpiece, it pairs wonderfully with vegetables, potatoes, or fresh bread. This recipe is easy to follow and delivers a stunning, crowd-pleasing dish every time.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 2–2.5 kg)
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
- In a saucepan, combine orange juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, zest, cloves, cinnamon, and butter.
- Cook over medium heat until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Brush a generous layer of glaze over the ham.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil, baste with more glaze, and continue baking for 30–45 minutes.
- Baste every 10–15 minutes for a rich, glossy finish.
- Bake until the ham is heated through and caramelized on top.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a fully cooked ham to reduce cooking time.
- Scoring helps the glaze penetrate deeper.
- Fresh orange juice gives the best flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar or honey.
- Covering initially prevents drying out.
- Use a meat thermometer (internal temp ~60°C).
- Leftovers are great for sandwiches.
- Glaze can be made ahead of time.