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This copycat honey baked ham brings together a sweet honey glaze, warm spices, and that signature crackly sugar crust everyone loves. The result is a juicy spiral ham that tastes like it came straight from the honey baked ham store - but at a fraction of the cost.
The oven does most of the work, and a quick broil or a pass with a kitchen torch gives the ham its crackly, caramelized shell. It's a simple, reliable recipe that delivers big flavor and stands tall on any holiday table.
Whether you're making Easter dinner, feeding a crowd for Sunday supper, or planning a Thanksgiving feast, this ham turns a meal into something special with just a few simple ingredients.
The Gist
Cook Time: 2-2 ½ hours
Total Time: About 3 hours
Yield: Serves 12-14
Skill Level: Easy
Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
Why You'll Love It
• The crackly sugar crust gives you that classic honey baked ham finish without the premium price tag.
• Spiral slices soak up the sweet honey glaze and stay juicy from edge to center.
• The spice mixture adds warm holiday flavor that pairs beautifully with simple side dishes.
• Great for feeding a crowd and even better for stretching into leftover ham meals all week.
• This bone-in ham brings old-school holiday charm but keeps prep wonderfully simple.
Honey baked hams rose to fame thanks to their lacquered sugar crust - a technique inspired by candy makers who used high heat to create a caramel shell. Today, home cooks often rely on a torch, broiler, or a steady heating element to recreate that glossy finish. It's a blend of tradition, technique, and clever cooking that turns a fully cooked ham into something truly memorable.
Kitchen Equipment
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Bone-in spiral-sliced half ham
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Heat the Ham
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan and pour in 1 cup of water. Cover the entire pan tightly with foil. Bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Brush with Honey Mixture
In a bowl, stir together the melted butter and honey. Uncover the warm ham and brush the mixture all over, letting it slip between the spiral slices. Raise the oven temperature to 425°F.
Mix the Sugar-Spice Blend
In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground allspice, and ground cayenne pepper.
Caramelize the Crust (Broiler Method)
Pat half the spice mixture over the ham. Broil on HIGH until the sugar begins to bubble and caramelize. Keep an eye on it - sugar can burn fast.
Caramelize the Crust (Torch Method)
Sift a light layer of the mixture over the ham. Torch until glossy. Repeat several layers until a shell forms. Finish with a thin dusting of spices and a quick pass of the flame.
Make the Finishing Glaze
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar mixture with 3 tablespoons water or pan drippings. Bring to a boil and let it bubble for 1 minute.
Final Glaze
Brush or drizzle the hot glaze over the ham. Broil or torch again just until it sets. Let the ham rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.
✨ Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe ✨
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Chef's Tips for Copycat Honey Baked Ham
• Keep the ham moist: Add water to the roasting pan and keep it covered until glazing.
• Watch the broiler: Sugar caramelizes quickly - stay close to the oven.
• Use a torch for control: A kitchen torch gives you an even, crackly finish.
• Let it rest: Resting helps the glaze firm up and keeps the slices juicy.
• Save the ham bone: It's perfect for beans, soups, or slow cooker recipes.
What to Serve It With
For a complete meal, try it with my Southern Style Green Beans and New Potatoes, Honey-Glazed Carrots with Bacon, Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese, and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
And for the grand finale? You've got to try my glorious Sticky Toffee Pudding! Don't let the name fool you...this is a moist lightly spiced cake soaked and drizzled in a homemade toffee sauce that is so to die for that I could drink it!
FAQs
Can I use a boneless ham?
Yes, but a bone-in spiral ham has better flavor and stays juicier.
Do I need a torch?
No - the broiler works well if you keep a close eye on it.
Can I make it ahead?
Glaze it just before serving for the best crackle.
Does this work with pre-cooked ham?
Yes - most spiral hams are fully cooked.
Leftovers & Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheat slices gently in a covered dish with a splash of water.
Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and warm slowly to keep the ham tender.
My Favorite Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers
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Tried It?
If you make this recipe, tag me with #jennifercooks - I'd love to see your version!
Recipes That Make the Holidays Feel Like Home
Recipes that make the holidays feel like home are the ones you can practically assemble from memory-the dishes that show up every year, get passed around the table twice, and somehow taste even better as leftovers the next day. They're cozy, familiar, and just a little bit over-the-top in the best way, turning a regular dinner into a full-blown holiday spread.
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Tender cornbread baked with sautéed onions, celery, and savory herbs, then moistened with rich stock and baked until the edges turn just crisp. It's the kind of dressing that absolutely requires a prime spot next to the ham.
Pecan Pie
A classic Southern holiday pie with a buttery crust and a gooey brown sugar filling packed with toasted pecans. Sweet, rich, and sliceable, it's the first dessert to disappear from the buffet.
Cranberry Sauce (Easy No-Mess Oven Method)
Whole cranberries simmered until they burst with sugar, citrus, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. The bright, tangy flavor cuts through all the richness on the plate and makes every bite of ham pop.
Sweet Potato and Apple Bake
Layers of sweet potatoes and apples baked with warm spices, butter, and a touch of sweetness until everything is soft and caramelized. It walks the line between side dish and dessert, and nobody complains either way.
Southern Style Green Beans and New Potatoes with Bacon
Green beans and baby potatoes slowly cooked with smoky bacon until tender and full of flavor. It's a hearty, old-fashioned side that balances out all the sweet casseroles on the table.
Herb Butter Rubbed Turkey
A beautifully roasted holiday turkey coated in a savory herb butter that melts into the skin and bastes the meat as it cooks. Juicy, golden, and fragrant, it's the centerpiece that makes the whole table feel like a celebration.
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Copycat Honey Baked Ham
Ingredients
- 8 lb bone-in spiral-sliced half ham
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
Instructions
Prepare and Heat the Ham
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan and cover tightly with heavy-duty foil.
- Bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
Coat the Warm Ham
- In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and honey.2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons honey
- Carefully uncover the ham and brush the mixture all over the surface, working a little between the slices.
- Increase oven temperature to 425°F while you prepare the sugar-spice blend.
Mix the Spice-Sugar Blend
- In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ⅛ teaspoon allspice
Create the Caramelized Shell
Standard Oven Broil Method
- Pat half of the sugar-spice mixture over the top surface of the ham.
- Broil on HIGH for several minutes until the sugar begins to bubble and caramelize. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Torch Layering Method
- Sift a thin, even layer of the sugar-spice mixture onto the surface.
- Lightly torch until melted.
- Repeat 7 layers of sift → torch until the sugar forms a glossy shell.
- Add 1-2 light spice layers at the end and torch briefly. Avoid holding the flame in one spot-ground clove can spark.
Make the Finishing Glaze
- Add the remaining sugar-spice mixture to a small saucepan.
- Add 3 tablespoons water or pan juices.
- Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Final Glaze
- Brush or drizzle the hot glaze over the ham.
- Broil again for 1-2 minutes, or lightly torch, just until the glaze is set.
- Let the ham rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a milder profile, reduce cayenne to a pinch or omit entirely.
- For deeper warmth, slightly increase cinnamon or nutmeg.
- If cloves feel too strong, reduce to a pinch; they bloom quickly under heat.
- Pan juices create a richer glaze with more depth than water.
- A splash of bourbon may be added to the glaze mixture for subtle complexity.
- Serve with au gratin potatoes, Southern style green beans and new potatoes roasted carrots, dinner rolls, or a bright cranberry sauce for balance.
- Leftovers are ideal for sandwiches, breakfast casseroles, omelets, or split pea soup.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze tightly wrapped slices for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Warm covered at 300°F until heated through, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent drying.
- May also be served cold for sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
- Brush ham with butter and honey, then cook in a slow cooker on LOW for 4-5 hours until heated through. Transfer to a roasting pan and follow all glazing and caramelization steps as written above.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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