This spiced cherry and maple glazed ham by Warren Mendes is an essential come the big day.

What you need to know before you start

Cooking a Christmas ham from scratch is a labour of love and will require your undivided attention for at least 1 hour 30 minutes. The sweet and spicy cherry glaze takes roughly 30 minutes to cook down on the stove top, and the ham needs to be glazed every 15 minutes in the oven for roughly 1 hour until caramelised. You can cook the glaze in advance to make it easier on the day. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

There’s no need for fancy or hard-to-obtain cooking equipment to create this recipe at home. You’ll need basic supplies such as a saucepan, a fine sieve, a sharp knife, a roasting pan with a rack and spoon or brush to apply the glaze. 

Why is this the best Christmas ham glaze recipe?

Taking the extra step to create your own ham glaze is rewarding and allows you to adjust the flavours to your tastes. Our spicy cherry and maple version adds a sweetness thanks to the cherries, maple syrup and brown sugar, with notes of earthy spice from the cinnamon, star anise and allspice.

When brushed on the ham and cooked in the oven, the beautiful flavours of the glaze impart into the savoury richness of the ham, resulting in a show-stopping main course that’s fit to feed a crowd. 

How many days before Christmas can you glaze a ham?

You can prepare the cherry glaze up to 5 days in advance to make it easier on the day. If making it ahead of time, store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. However, for best results, it’s best to glaze and roast the ham on the day.

What ingredients you’ll need 

Leg of ham: There’s no Christmas ham without the ham! Choose a 3kg deboned leg of ham or a 6-7kg bone-in leg. 

Frozen cherries: The natural sweetness and tartness from cherries adds complexity to the glaze, which can balance the saltiness from the ham and the sweetness from the maple syrup. 

Maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a deep caramel-like richness to the glaze which only intensifies when cooked in the oven. 

Brown sugar: The molasses notes in brown sugar imparts depth to enhance the flavours of the glaze. 

Cinnamon quill: Cinnamon brings warm and spicy notes while complementing the sweetness from the sugar and maple syrup. 

Star anise: The strong licorice-like qualities of star anise adds a distinct sweetness, imparting warmth and spiciness. 

Allspice: The complex warm flavours of allspice add a subtle earthiness with a hint of sweetness, thanks to the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. 

How to prepare a ham to be glazed

When you’re ready to glaze your ham, you’ll need a sharp knife and a little bit of patience to correctly prepare it before it’s ready to be glazed and baked. Use a knife to carefully run under the skin of the ham around the edges. Set the knife aside and use your fingers to gently pull away the skin. Take care with this step – you want to remove the skin, but not the precious layer of fat, which will slowly melt and give you a beautiful caramelised glazed crust. 

Once the skin has been removed and discarded (or saved to use as a natural covering when storing in the fridge), you have the option to score the fat in a diamond shape if you wish. Finally, use a spoon or brush to baste the fat with some of the glaze before placing it in the oven. 

How to store leftover glazed Christmas ham

Got leftovers? You can store glazed Christmas ham whole or in slices, however, slices will dry up faster, so consider how quickly you intend to eat your leftovers before slicing. For the whole ham, store in the fridge wrapped in its reserved skin, or use a cloth ham bag, following the bag’s instructions. Stored this way, the ham can last for up to 1 month. Ham slices can also be wrapped in plastic wrap or can simply be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can use leftover ham in toasties, galettes or a ham and potato rosti. 

What to serve with your Christmas ham 

You’re free to serve your Christmas ham both cold or warm – it’s up to personal preference. Pair it with all your favourite festive trimmings like potato salad, a cheesy gratin, a fresh green salad and a homemade cranberry sauce.

Drinking pairings with cherry glazed Christmas ham

Cherry glazed Christmas ham has a rich, sweet and savoury flavour profile that works well with a number of drinks, from white wines, sparkling, beer, cocktails and mocktails. Look to complementing flavours like a riesling, the cherry notes of a pinot noir, the lightness of a prosecco or the tartness of a whiskey sour.

If you love our Christmas ham glaze recipe, try this 

Ready to start planning your ultimate Christmas feast? Look to these classic festive mains that are sure to wow a crowd:

• Christmas turkey with all the trimmings
• Lamb and spinach wellingtons
• Grilled seafood platter with romesco sauce and herb crumbs