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+ servings
using a pastry brush do brush glaze on honey ham

Easy 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze

Samantha Erb
This 3-ingredient ham glaze is quick, easy to make, and adds a burst of flavor to any holiday ham! It caramelizes on the ham as it bakes.
5 from 1 vote
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Sauces & Dips
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 169 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup root beer

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, bring the brown sugar, butter, and root beer to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and syrupy.
  • When ready to use, brush half of the glaze onto a ham inside a roasting pan.
  • Cover the ham with foil and bake it at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes per pound. After half of the cooking time (45 minutes for a ~5.5lb ham), turn the heat up to 375 degrees F.
  • Brush the ham with the glaze 2 to 3 more times during the remaining cooking time. It's ready when nicely caramelized, browned, and 140 degrees F internally. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • The glaze can be made ahead and stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 5-7 days. When ready to use, just stir it up then baste it on the ham as noted in the recipe.
  • Stir the glaze occasionally as it simmers.
  • If the glaze is too thick, thin it out with a little water or more root beer. If it’s too thin, it needs to simmer longer.
  • Keep brushing the ham with glaze during the 2nd half of the cooking time.
  • To lower the amount of sugar in the glaze, use zero-sugar root beer.
  • Some of the brown sugar can be swapped out for maple syrup or honey.
  • Store leftover cooked ham wrapped tightly with foil or in airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 24gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 10mgSugar: 24g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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