
Cherry Glazed Ham
This perfect holiday ham is oozing with lush fruit thanks to a cherry spiced glaze.
Cherry Glazed Ham makes a great Easter or graduation ham.
It is also served in my home at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
If you ARE tired of the same old ham, this cherry glazed ham will brighten up your table.
I like to changeup my menu by making the expected items in different ways.
This Cherry Glazed Ham is one of those recipes.
I have always made a Ginger Ale, pineapple, or brown sugar glazed ham.
But when I saw this recipe I just knew it would end up in my recipe box.
I love cherries. I love anything with cherries.
My favorite Easter candy is chocolate covered cherries.
My favorite holiday pie is a cherry pie.
I prefer cherry ice cream over chocolate.
My favorite baked goods are cherry donuts, breads and muffins.
Every summer there is a cherry festival in Traverse City, Michigan.
The cherry growers from all over the state bring their wares for the festival.
There are games, rides, food trucks and anything you can think of made with or adorned in cherries.
We usually pick up 1-2 pounds of dried cherries along with some cherry butter, cherry preserves and a box of cherry fudge.
Those cherry preserves are dedicated for the glaze of this ham.
Although I love cherry, we rarely have them in my home other than the fresh fruit.
And, sad to say, this is the only form of cherry I can leave sit around the kitchen.
My family however is just the opposite of me. They won’t eat anything cherry but the fresh fruit.
But let’s get back to this glaze.

THESE ARE THE INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED:
- Nonstick spray
- 5 pound boneless ready-to-eat ham
- 1/2 cup water or white wine
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, creamy
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray.
- Score the top and sides of the ham with a small sharp knife in a crisscross pattern.
- Put the ham in the pan, pour 1/2 cup water or white wine into the bottom of the pan and bake, covered loosely with a tent of foil, 45 to 60 minutes.
Glaze:
- To make the glaze, combine the preserves, horseradish, brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, salt, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
- Transfer the cherry mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the glaze is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the lemon zest.
- Remove the ham from the oven and brush the top with 1/4 cup of the glaze.
- Bake, uncovered, until the ham is hot and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 140 degrees F, about 20 minutes longer.
- Remove the ham from the oven to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
- Arrange the sliced ham on a serving platter and serve with the reserved glaze.
it only takes 20 minutes to prepare. And it is so very easy even my granddaughter helps me make it.
The cherry flavors are absorbed right into the ham as it cooks.
The smell of the cooking ham permeates the kitchen. And the presentation is so pretty it is almost too good to eat.
Well, almost.
Remember I said my family doesn’t like cherry?
Well, this glaze is an exception.
My family actually looks forward to sitting at the table when this Cherry Glazed Ham is on the menu.
This recipe is just that delicious.
Served it with a nice salad, some wine or juice. Maybe a green bean casserole and you have the makings of a great meal!
I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do let me know how it turns out for you!
Cherry Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- Nonstick spray
- 5 pound boneless ready-to-eat ham
- 1/2 cup water or white wine
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, creamy
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray.
- Score the top and sides of the ham with a small sharp knife in a crisscross pattern.
- Put the ham in the pan, pour 1/2 cup water or white wine into the bottom of the pan and bake, covered loosely with a tent of foil, 45 to 60 minutes.
Glaze:
- To make the glaze, combine the preserves, horseradish, brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, salt, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
- Transfer the cherry mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the glaze is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the lemon zest.
- Remove the ham from the oven and brush the top with 1/4 cup of the glaze.
- Bake, uncovered, until the ham is hot and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 140 degrees F, about 20 minutes longer.
- Remove the ham from the oven to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
- Arrange the sliced ham on a serving platter and serve with the reserved glaze.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
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Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
Yum, cherries are a great choice with ham.
Thank you Carole. It is a nice alternative to the regular types of ham we serve. Enjoy your week.
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Have a wonderful holiday!
Always a fun party Helen. Merry Christmas
Now this is very different. I have never thought of any other fruit on ham except pineapple. But this looks delish. TFS
It really is. It is sweet, similar to the brown sugar, but your guests will want to sample it! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.