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Coca Cola Glazed Ham Sitting on a Bed of Herbs and Lemons

Coca-Cola Glazed Ham

A diamond-scored, clove-studded holiday ham baked low and slow and brushed every 20 minutes with a glossy brown sugar, Dijon and Coca-Cola glaze. Picture-perfect for Easter or Christmas.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ham
  • 1 bone-in ham, 8-12 lb or 2 boneless half hams; uncut
  • 1/4 cup whole cloves approximately
Coca-Cola glaze
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 6 oz Coca-Cola half a can; any regular dark soda, not diet
  • fresh parsley and a cut lemon for the platter, optional

Method
 

Ham
  1. Preheat the oven to 300-325°F. With a long knife, score the ham in diagonal cuts about 1/2 inch deep, then turn and cut the other direction to make diamonds.
  2. Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond.
  3. Set the ham in a roasting pan so it sits in its juices, cover with foil and bake 15 minutes per pound (about 2 1/2 hours for a 10-lb ham).
Glaze and finish
  1. While the ham bakes, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, Dijon and Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until foamy, then simmer on low 20-25 minutes until thickened. Double the glaze for a ham over 12 lb.
  2. After the first hour, brush glaze into the cuts every 20 minutes (4-6 times) until the ham is done.
  3. Brush on a final coat just before serving for shine. Garnish the platter with parsley and lemon. Slice, brushing a little glaze between slices.

Notes

Dr Pepper works too (the Pioneer Woman way). Follow your ham packaging for timing if unsure; low and slow keeps it juicy.