⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 8 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 180 minutes

Total Time: 190 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 Spiral-cut boneless ham (about 4-5 lbs)
• 1 (14-ounce) can Cranberry sauce (whole berry is best)
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 1/4 cup Orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Chili flakes (red pepper flakes)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar

📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This is crucial for even cooking.
2. Place the ham in a large roasting pan. If it came wrapped, score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern to help the glaze penetrate and render fat for extra flavor. Don't worry if you're not a chef—a little rustic touch is ok!
3. Add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. This helps keep the ham moist during cooking. You will smell the savory aroma soon!
4. Bake the ham according to the package instructions, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the meat. This may take several hours, so make sure you get this done early!
5. While the ham bakes, prepare the cranberry glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice, chili flakes, and brown sugar. You don't want to rush this.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Let it simmer gently, stirring regularly to prevent scorching, until it begins to thicken slightly—around 5 to 7 minutes. This is like love—you have to nurture it!
7. Once the ham has about 30 minutes left to cook, remove it from the oven. Increase your oven temperature to broil. Now get ready for magic!
8. Brush the ham generously with the cranberry glaze. I like to get every nook and cranny!
9. Place the ham back into the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze is slightly caramelized and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn!
10. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham. This part is so satisfying!
11. Carve and serve the ham. Be generous with the extra glaze when you serve! Enjoy your delicious Christmas ham!

📝 Notes

• Adjust cooking time based on ham weight. Always check the internal temperature to ensure it's cooked through.
• For a less spicy glaze, use less chili flakes, or leave it out entirely.
• You can substitute other citrus fruits, like grapefruit or tangerine, for the orange zest and juice.
• Leftover glaze is great on toast or biscuits!