Cider-Baked Ham

Take the stress out of cooking for a crowd with this easy-to-prepare ham.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (10-pound) smoked ham*
6 cups apple cider
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Remove skin from ham. Bake ham according to package directions or place ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the meat. Cook approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound.
3. Thirty minutes before ham is done, remove from oven. Score surface lightly with a sharp knife. Remove half the drippings and reserve. Pour apple cider over ham and return to oven. Baste ham every 10 minutes until done.
4. When ham is done (internal temperature should be 140°F), remove from oven and hold warm. Pour pan drippings into a medium saucepan. Add reserved drippings and simmer until reduced by half. Stir in cloves. Slowly stir in flour dissolved in water; cook until thickened. Serve sauce with sliced ham.

Makes 15 servings.

*Note: Directions are for a bone-in, fully cooked ham. Also called “ready-to-eat’” or “heat-and-serve” ham. A “cook-before-eating” ham must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C), approximately 18 to 20 minutes per pound.