If there’s one dish that makes me feel like a Proper Christmas Adult™, it’s a glazed ham. Growing up, I thought only people with matching napkin rings could pull one off. Turns out: nope. All you need is a small ham, a hot oven, and enough willpower not to “taste test” the glaze with a spoon. (Spoiler: you will. And that’s okay.)
This Maple & Mustard Christmas Ham uses a half ham or small quarter ham, which is perfect if you’re cooking for a smaller family, doing a bring-a-plate Christmas, or you’re the hero who always brings the protein while everyone else shows up with chips.
The glaze? Sticky. Shiny. Offensively good. And made with ingredients you probably already have in the pantry.
Let’s get festive.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Ham
- Easy showstopper — minimal faff, maximum Christmas magic.
- Naturally suits Aussie summer — serve warm or cold.
- Budget-friendly — half-hams often go on special in December.
- Perfect for sharing — feeds a small crowd without leftovers taking over your fridge.
- Flexible flavour — swaps for pineapple, marmalade, honey, or bourbon (no judgement here).
🛒 Ingredients (for a Small Sharing Ham)
(This suits a 1.5–2.5 kg half or quarter leg ham — easy to pick up from Coles, Woolies or Aldi during December.)
Ham
- 1 small half or quarter leg ham (1.5–2.5 kg), skin on
- Whole cloves (optional but very nostalgic)
Maple Mustard Glaze
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove grated)
- Pinch of salt
- Cracked black pepper
🔪 Step-by-Step: Foolproof Ham Glazing
1. Prep the ham
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (fan).
- Carefully remove the ham skin, leaving the fat layer intact.
- Score the fat in a diamond pattern (about 2 cm apart).
- Press a clove into each diamond if you’d like the classic look.
2. Mix your glaze
In a small saucepan, whisk together:
- maple syrup
- Dijon + wholegrain mustard
- brown sugar
- vinegar
- garlic powder
Simmer for 3–4 minutes until glossy.
3. Glaze round one
- Place the ham on a lined baking tray.
- Brush generously with the glaze.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
4. Glaze again… and again
Brush on more glaze every 10–15 minutes until:
- it’s deep golden,
- sticky,
- caramelised,
- and you want to clap.
Total bake time: 45–60 minutes, depending on ham size.
5. Rest & carve
Let the ham rest for 10 minutes, then carve into thin slices.
🎁 Serving Ideas
- Scatter with pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive look.
- Serve warm with a simple green salad or roasted potatoes.
- Or keep it chilled for a classic Aussie cold ham Christmas lunch.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t skip lining the tray — maple glaze sticks harder than a toddler with a sugar rush.
- Baste often — this is the secret to a shiny Christmas-card-worthy ham.
- Go slow, not hot — lower oven temps prevent the glaze from burning.
- Taste the glaze — adjust sweetness, tang, or mustard kick to your preference.
🧊 Storage & Leftovers
- Store sliced ham in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
- Use leftovers for:
- Boxing Day ham toasties
- Ham & pineapple pizza
- Ham and pea pasta
- Breakfast omelettes
- Freeze leftover ham slices for up to 2 months.
(If you’re a solo eater: divide the leftovers into small freezer bags so you don’t accidentally defrost a week’s worth at once.)
🎀 Gifting Idea
Wrap a few slices in baking paper, tie with a little twine, and deliver a “ham sampler” to neighbours or friends. Bonus points if you include a small jar of extra glaze!
📣 Enjoyed this recipe?
If this Maple Mustard Christmas Ham makes it to your table this year, I’d love to know!
Drop a comment, share the recipe with your Christmas crew, or subscribe for more festive Plan4One recipes coming your way. 🎄💛
