Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Printable Version)

Sweet glazed ham paired with cheeses, fruits, and breads for an inviting holiday spread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Glazed Ham

01 - 1 boneless ham (3 to 4 lb)
02 - ½ cup brown sugar
03 - ¼ cup honey
04 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
06 - ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)

→ Cheese Selection

07 - 6 oz aged cheddar, sliced
08 - 6 oz brie, cut into wedges
09 - 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
10 - 4 oz gouda, sliced

→ Fruits & Vegetables

11 - 1 cup red grapes, on the vine
12 - 1 cup green grapes, on the vine
13 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
14 - 1 apple, thinly sliced
15 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
16 - 2 mini cucumbers, sliced
17 - ½ cup dried apricots

→ Breads & Crackers

18 - 1 baguette, sliced
19 - 8 oz assorted crackers
20 - 4 oz breadsticks

→ Accompaniments

21 - ½ cup whole grain mustard
22 - ½ cup fig jam
23 - ½ cup mixed olives
24 - ½ cup cornichons (small pickles)
25 - ½ cup roasted nuts (almonds or pecans)
26 - Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F.
02 - Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and cloves in a small saucepan; heat gently until sugar dissolves and mixture becomes syrupy.
03 - Score the ham surface in a diamond pattern, place in a roasting pan, and brush generously with the prepared glaze.
04 - Roast the ham for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with glaze every 20 minutes until caramelized and heated through; allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shaping into roses.
05 - Place the glazed ham or arranged ham slices at the center of a large serving board.
06 - Arrange cheese, fruits, vegetables, breads, and accompaniments symmetrically around the ham, grouping similar items together for visual appeal.
07 - Add fresh herbs as garnish and present the board immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • One gorgeous centerpiece that does the heavy lifting, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • The sweet and savory glaze creates that irresistible caramelized crust that makes people ask for the recipe before they even taste it
  • A board like this feels impossibly elegant, but it's honestly just organized thoughtfulness—anyone can make it look restaurant-worthy
02 -
  • Start glazing when the ham is cold from the fridge—warm ham doesn't accept the glaze as well, and it won't caramelize properly. This one mistake taught me the difference between a pretty ham and a show-stopping one.
  • Don't skip the resting period after roasting. This is when the surface hardens into that gorgeous crust instead of staying tacky. Those 15 minutes are non-negotiable.
  • Prep all your board elements before you pull the ham from the oven. When that ham rests, you have a perfect window to arrange everything without scrambling.
03 -
  • If you need to make the ham ahead, glaze it the night before, cover it loosely, and roast it the morning of. The glaze actually benefits from sitting—the flavors deepen overnight.
  • The real magic is in basting consistency. Set a phone timer and don't skip a single basting. This is what separates a pretty ham from a show-stopping one that people talk about for years.
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