Holiday Cola Baked Ham
We can thank innovative Southern cooks for incorporating a popular soft drink into traditional holiday fare. Unusual combination of ingredients or not, the end result of this recipe is one of the tastiest hams ever.
Recipe Ingredients:
1 (10 to 12 pound) bone-in ham
Whole cloves, as needed
1 (1-pound) box dark brown sugar
1 (12-ounce) can cola-flavored carbonated beverage (not diet)
1 (14-ounce) can pineapple rings, drained and the juice reserved
1 cup sweet concord grape wine
10 to 12 maraschino cherries
Cooking Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Using a sharp knife, remove the rind from ham. Score surface of ham crosswise and lengthwise, forming a crisscross pattern about 1/4-inch deep and 1-inch apart. Place 1 clove in the center of each square.
- Place ham, fat side up, in a roasting pan. Press brown sugar onto the surface of the ham. Expect some sugar to fall into the roasting pan.
- Place in oven and bake until brown sugar just begins to melt, about 30 minutes.
- Pour the cola over ham, mixing with melted sugar in bottom of roasting pan. Baste ham with the cola mixture and bake an additional 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine reserved pineapple juice and the wine in a small bowl. Baste ham with pineapple mixture every 20 minutes.
- Bake ham for a total of 16 minutes per pound. During the last 20 minutes of baking time, remove ham from oven and decorate with the pineapple rings. Use 2 to 3 wooden picks to hold each ring in place. Place a cherry in the center of each ring, also using a wooden pick. Return to oven and continue to bake the final 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to stand for at least 15 minutes before transferring to serving platter.
- Skim excess fat from pan juices and serve with the ham.
Makes about 24 to 28 servings.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (2 tablespoons): 33.8 calories; 79% calories from fat; 3.0g total fat; 6.6mg cholesterol; 33.4mg sodium; 40.2mg potassium; 1.1g carbohydrates; 0.1g fiber; 0.3g sugar; 1.0g net carbs; 0.8g protein.
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