By Alasha Ellis — Gentle Hands Kitchen
Christmas in the kitchen is not just about cooking it’s about memory-making, aroma therapy for the soul, and feeding love to everyone at the table. This sweet, glazed Christmas ham with cranberry sauce is one of those recipes that turns an ordinary house into a holiday home.
Whether you choose pork or beef, this recipe delivers tenderness, shine, and that unmistakable Christmas warmth.
Ingredients
For the Ham
1 fully cooked pork or beef ham (5–7 lbs)
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup honey or pineapple juice
2 tbsp mustard
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp butter
Whole cloves (optional for studding)
🍒 For the Cranberry Sauce
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
¾ cup sugar
1 cup water or orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
½ tsp cinnamon
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Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Ham
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Score the ham in a diamond pattern.
If using cloves, gently press one into each diamond.
2️⃣ Make the Sweet Glaze
In a saucepan:
Combine brown sugar, honey (or pineapple juice), mustard, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Heat gently until smooth and glossy.
3️⃣ Bake with Love
Place ham in a baking tray.
Brush generously with glaze.
Cover with foil and bake 15–20 minutes per pound.
Every 20 minutes, remove and baste with more glaze.
4️⃣ Final Caramel Finish
Remove foil for the last 20–30 minutes.
Turn oven to 375°F (190°C) for a golden, sticky finish.
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Cranberry Sauce Directions
Boil cranberries, sugar, and liquid.
Simmer 10–15 minutes until thick.
Stir in orange zest and cinnamon.
Let cool — it thickens beautifully.
✅ Do’s & ❌ Don’ts
✅ Do:
Let the ham rest 15 minutes before slicing
Always baste generously
Use a meat thermometer (145°F internal)
Serve with baked sweet potatoes, rice, or mac & cheese
❌ Don’t:
Don’t overcook it dries out
Don’t skip the foil stage
Don’t rush the glaze slow heat builds flavor
Don’t forget the cranberry it balances the sweetness
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🎁 Final Touch
Slice gently. Spoon warm cranberry sauce over each serving. Watch the table fall silent that’s when you know you’ve cooked with power.
✨ I’m grateful for your time and hope this recipe blesses your Christmas table with warmth, flavor, and togetherness. Thank you for reading. ❤️
Gentle Hands Kitchen
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