Christmas Ham

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the ham rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours to come to temperature before baking.

Step 2

Remove the ham from its package and pat it dry with paper towels. Score the ham by cutting into the rind of the ham in a diamond pattern making sure that the cuts are approximately 1/4-1/2 inch deep.

Step 3

Place the ham on a roasting pan and pour approximately ¼ cup of water all over the top of it.  Loosely cover the ham with foil to keep it from drying out.

Step 4

Bake for 2 – 2 ½ hours until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees F in the thickest part of the ham.

Step 5

While the ham is baking, heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium high heat until the butter is browned.

Step 6

Then whisk in the brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon and ground cloves.  Cook and whisk for 2-3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Step 7

Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Remove the glaze from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 8

Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.  Remove the foil from the ham and baste the ham with approximately 1/3 of the basting mixture.  Cook it for an additional 20 minutes and baste the ham 2 more times during this cooking time until the ham reaches an interval temperature of 135 degrees F.

Step 9

Remove the ham and let the ham rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (tented loosely with foil). Then carefully move the ham to a large cutting board. Then carve the ham into large slices and enjoy!