Ingredients:

  • 8 lb bone-in spiral sliced half ham
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 cup honey
  • 0.5 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 0.25 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

  1. Preheat and Position. Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) and place the 8 lb ham cut side down in a heavy duty roasting pan. Note: Placing it cut side down prevents the leanest part of the meat from drying out.
  2. Hydrate the Base. Pour 1 cup of apple cider into the bottom of the pan around the ham.
  3. Create the Steam Lock. Wrap the entire pan tightly with two layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. Ensure there are no gaps where steam can escape.
  4. Initial Roast. Bake until the internal temperature hits 110°F. This usually takes about 10–12 minutes per pound (roughly 80-90 minutes for an 8 lb ham).
  5. Simmer the Lacquer. While the ham roasts, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon, vinegar, paprika, and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Simmer 5–7 minutes over medium heat until the sugar dissolves into a glossy syrup.
  6. Increase Heat. Remove the ham from the oven and crank the temperature up to 425°F (220°C).
  7. Apply the First Layer. Carefully remove the foil. Brush half of the glaze generously over the surface and use a spoon to nudge some between the spiral slices.
  8. The Mahogany Blast. Return the ham to the oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Baste with the remaining glaze every 5 minutes until the surface is crackling and mahogany dark.
  9. Monitor the Core. Pull the ham when the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Do not let it go higher or it will turn into ham jerky.
  10. The Critical Rest. Move the ham to a carving board and let it sit for 15 minutes before serving. Note: This allows the juices to settle back into the fibers so they don't pour out when you move the slices. Eggnog: Classic Cooked, Rich Boozy Holiday Sipper Recipe — Eggnog made the cooked, pasteurized waycustard folded with cream, vanilla and...Abgoosht: Traditional Persian Lamb Stew Recipe (Dizi Style) — Discover the ultimate Abgoosht recipe, Irans signature hearty lamb stew featu...Thanksgiving Soul Food Plate Heartwarming Classic with Roasted Turkey — Create the ultimate Thanksgiving Soul Food Plate Heartwarming Classic with Ro... $img_2$