Best Easy Maple-Glazed Ham Recipe

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Position the rack in the lower third of the oven to allow space for the ham.

Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep, and stud with whole cloves at the intersections for even flavor infusion.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper. Stir and simmer until the sugar fully dissolves and the glaze is slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Place the ham cut-side down on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Brush the ham generously with the maple glaze, reserving some for later basting.

Roast the ham, uncovered, for 1 hour. Baste with additional glaze every 20 minutes, ensuring an even caramelized finish. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F for the final 10 minutes to deepen the golden crust without drying out the meat.

Let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.