Isn’t this Coca-Cola glazed ham a beauty? Sometimes, large pieces of meat, especially those intended for holidays, can be a bit intimidating. I was timid about making my first Easter ham two years ago, but I found a simple, fairly straightforward recipe from The Pioneer Woman that I felt bold enough to try.
Sure enough, it was pretty easy, and I didn’t mess it up! In fact, one of my guests said it was the best ham he had ever eaten! So, I made the same Coca-Cola glazed ham this year but have tweaked the recipe just a bit. If you think putting a pretty thing like this on the table for Easter is out of reach, think again! It really is super easy, and I’ll walk you through it right now:
Preparing the Ham for Baking
Before you even start cooking, you need to pick the right ham and prepare it for roasting. This is your chance to create that perfect diamond pattern that makes holiday hams look so festive. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Follow these steps to get your Coca-Cola glazed ham ready for the oven.
Step 1: Pick the Perfect Ham
Go to the store and buy 1 large bone-in ham (8-12 lbs) or 2 boneless half hams. Some stores only carry certain kinds, so you may have to do a bit of searching if you have your heart set on one or the other. My grocery store only had half hams, so I got two of those. If your family is small, you will obviously only need one. Whatever ham you get, make sure it is uncut so that you can make the pretty design yourself.
Step 2: Score the Ham
With a chef’s knife or long serrated knife (I used a bread knife to get extra traction on the meat), make diagonal cuts along the ham. Sink the knife in about 1/2 inch so the glaze can drip inside and moisten the meat.
Step 3: Create the Diamond Pattern
Turn the ham and make diagonal cuts in the other direction. You want to create pretty diamond shapes over the surface of the ham.
Step 4: Add Whole Cloves
Grab some whole cloves and poke them into the middle of each diamond shape until the entire ham is covered.
The cloves may add a slight hint of flavor, but they’re mainly added for their aesthetic touch.
Step 5: Prep for Baking
Place your ham in a roasting pan or large glass pan (if it fits) so it can sit in its own juices while baking. This helps prevent it from drying out.
Step 6: Bake It Low and Slow
Cover your ham with foil and bake it at 300-325°F for 15 minutes per pound. My ham was 10 pounds, which meant about 2.5 hours in the oven. If you’re unsure about timing, you can follow the instructions found on your ham’s packaging. Just remember to cook it “low and slow” to keep the meat juicy and tender.
Crafting the Coca-Cola Glaze
The glaze is what makes this dish really shine—literally! It adds sweetness, flavor, and that beautiful glossy finish. The best part? You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make it.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
While your ham is baking, it’s time to prepare the glaze, the star of this recipe! Grab a medium-sized saucepan and add 1.5 cups of brown sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1/3 cup of Dijon mustard. If your ham weighs more than 12 lbs, you’ll want to double these amounts.
Step 2: Add Your Soda Base
Pour in half a can of Coca-Cola. The Pioneer Woman uses Dr. Pepper, which is also wonderful. Really, any dark soda will work as long as it isn’t diet; you’ll need that sugar to create the perfect glaze.
Step 3: Simmer to Perfection
Over medium heat, whisk the mixture until it gets foamy. Then, immediately reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll notice it thickening over time. Once removed from the heat, it will thicken even more as it cools.
Glazing and Finishing Touches
Now that your glaze is ready and your ham has been baking low and slow, it’s time to bring everything together. This step creates those rich caramelized flavors and gives your Coca-Cola glazed ham a picture-perfect appearance.
Step 1: Start Glazing After One Hour
After the first hour of bake time, you’ll begin your glaze work. Every 20 minutes, pull out the ham and brush the glaze into the cracks. It may seem labor intensive to do this 4-6 times, but I assure you, it makes a big difference when you slice the ham later on.
Step 2: Add a Final Coat Before Serving
Save a little bit of the glaze for the very end when you are ready to serve the ham so it will be stunningly shiny! Put fresh parsley and a cut lemon on the platter, and your Coca-Cola glazed ham looks like it has just stepped out of a cookbook!
Step 3: Slice or Serve Whole
You could also pre-cut your Coca-Cola glazed ham for your guests and brush some of the glaze in between each piece of meat. I think either way, it looks gorgeous!
A Feast Worth Sharing
I served my Coca-Cola glazed ham with 3-cheese baked macaroni and cheese, oven-roasted brussels sprouts, and apple broccoli slaw. For dessert, guests had their pick between creamy pistachio & coconut pudding cake or carrot and raisin cream cheese cupcakes.
So, what is on your Easter menu? Are you the hostess, or are you traveling for the special day? I would love to hear all about your traditional Easter dishes! I hope ya’ll have a blessed holiday!
