This comforting holiday classic features a smoked ham glazed with rich maple syrup, butter, and a hint of orange zest, paired beautifully with tender sweet potatoes. The cloves studded into the ham infuse it with warm, aromatic spice, while the glaze caramelizes during baking, creating a flavorful crust. Surrounding the ham with sweet potatoes makes this a complete one-pan centerpiece, perfect for festive gatherings or special family dinners.
Ingredients
- ½ smoked ham (butt end, tenderized, about 6–7 lbs)
- 20 – 30 whole cloves
- ¼ cup butter (or margarine, melted)
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 orange (grated rind of)
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed )
- 8 – 10 sweet potatoes (cooked until tender and peeled)
Instructions
Step 1: Score the Ham
- With a sharp knife, cut the fat of the ham into a diamond pattern.
- Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond.
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze
- In a bowl, mix together melted butter, maple syrup, grated orange rind, ground cloves, and brown sugar until combined.
Step 3: Assemble for Baking
- Place ham, cut side down, on a foil-lined baking pan.
- Arrange peeled sweet potatoes around the ham.
- Spoon some of the glaze mixture over the ham and sweet potatoes.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake in a preheated moderate oven (350°F) for 1 hour.
- Baste ham and sweet potatoes with the glaze every 15 minutes.
Step 5: Serve
- Slice the ham and spoon some of the pan juices over each serving.
Tips
- Add a splash of orange juice to the glaze for extra citrus brightness.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey for a different sweetness profile.
- Use fresh sweet potatoes cut into chunks instead of pre-cooked ones if preferred.
- Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the glaze for warm holiday flavor.
- For a deeper caramelization, broil the ham for the final 3–5 minutes.
- Reduce glaze on the stovetop before baking for a thicker coating.
- Add pineapple slices or orange rounds around the ham for added moisture and flavor.
- Use leftover ham for sandwiches, omelets, or soups.
- Replace whole cloves with ground cloves sprinkled lightly if needed.
- Add pecans to the sweet potatoes for texture and richness.
Nutrition
Calories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 32gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1420mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 4gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 16000IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2.4mg
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