Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham – Even Make it in the Crock Pot

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This Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham is perfect for anytime, but especially for all of the upcoming holidays.  It can even be made in the Crock Pot to free up your oven space.  Don’t worry about the bourbon – the alcohol cooks out, so you just enjoy the flavor.  The Apple Cider adds another layer of fall flavor.  See my hints below for more ideas.

 Have you ever made ham in a Crock Pot?  I do have a traditional type of ham recipe also on the blog HERE.

Make sure you check out the links below for more Thanksgiving ideas from my friends.

 

Easy Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham

This glaze recipe was used on a 8 lb. ham in the Crock Pot.  If you are making a larger one in the oven, I would double the recipe.

It’s easy to find all types of hams.  Using a fully cooked, you basically just have to get it warmed to serve.  You could even use a spiral-sliced ham for easier serving.  Bone-in or boneless is a personal choice as well.

Some hams come with a glaze packet so you can discard it.

This is a two for one recipe post – how to make the ham in a traditional oven and also in the Crock Pot.

 

How to Make the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham in the Oven

Ingredients:

• Approximately 8 lb. ham
• ½ Cup Apple Cider or Apple Juice

Instructions:

• Place the ham in a roasting pan, flat side down
• If it’s not a spiral sliced, I will score the ham on top
• Pour apple cider slowly over the ham
• Cover the ham with aluminum foil
• Cook at 300 degrees for 1 ½ hours**
• After 1 ½ hours, remove the ham from oven
• Brush the glaze over ham
• Return to the oven, uncovered
• Bake for additional 30 minutes
• Remove from oven
• Turn the temperature up to 400 degrees
• Pack about 1/2 cup brown sugar on top
• Drizzle a little glaze/juices from the pan, don’t oversaturate the brown sugar
• Return to oven for 15 – 20 minutes to get a good caramelization on top
• Remove from oven
• Let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving
• While the ham is baking during the first hour, make the glaze

**Note – this is for a fully cooked ham.  You can check the directions on your ham for cooking times

The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees

Brown Sugar, Bourbon and Apple Cider Glaze Recipe

Glaze Ingredients

• 2 ½ Cups brown sugar
• 1/3 Cup bourbon or whiskey
• ¼ Cup apple cider or apple juice

Glaze Directions

• Place the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan
• Heat until the sugar is dissolved
• Do not boil
• Set aside and cool

How to Make the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Ham in the Crock Pot

Make the Glaze – see recipe above

Directions:

• Place the ham in the Crock Pot, flat side down
• If it’s not a spiral sliced, I will score the ham
• Use about 1/2 of the glaze and brush onto ham
• Add lid to Crockpot
• If not a tight fit, cover tightly with aluminum foil
• Cook on low for 1 ½ – 2 hours
• After this time, baste the remaining glaze
• Cover and cook another 1 ½ hours
• Check the internal temperature, it should be at least 145 degrees
• If not at this temperature, cook another ½ hour

These next steps are optional, but I love a crispy top

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• After baking is complete, place the ham to an aluminum foil lined baking sheet
• Pack about 1/2 cup brown sugar on top
• Drizzle a little glaze/juices from the pan, don’t oversaturate the brown sugar
• Place in oven for 15 – 20 minutes to get a good caramelization on top
• Remove from oven
• Let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving

 

 

 

 

 

Hints and Tips:

If you don’t want to add the bourbon, just leave it out and double the apple cider or juice.

Use the leftover bone in a pot of soup or beans

To keep the ham warm on the platter, loosely tent aluminum foil over it

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Other ways to use the glaze:

• With bacon wrapped Lil Smokies
• As a marinade or glaze on any pork dish such as a tenderloin or chops

THANKSGIVING BLOG HOP

 

Shop at Blu

Cloches & Lavender

Sweet Valley Acres

Birdz of a Feather

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Gathered In The Kitchen

An Organized Season

Everyday Edits

My Home and Travels

Now Choose Life

From Farmhouse to Florida

At Home With Kristy 

The Stylish Maker 

Houzewize

Bushel and a Pickle

 

Need more ideas for Thanksgiving

Best Side Dish Ideas

Herbed Turkey Breast

Favorite Pumpkin Desserts

 

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