Christmas Ham Glaze

Make Christmas ham glaze in a jar with orange marmalade, mustard and warming spices, plus easy glazing instructions and freezer tips to simplify your festive cooking.

10/21/20262 min read

Golden homemade gravy being poured into a clear glass mason jar on a wooden cutting board background.

Christmas Ham Glaze in a Jar

A Sticky, Spiced Gift for the Festive Table

Every family has someone who is in charge of the Christmas ham. It's usually the same person every year, and they usually fuss over the glaze. This jar is for them. It's a thick, glossy mix of orange marmalade, mustard, brown sugar and warm spices, cooked once on the stove and ready to brush on in the last 30 minutes of baking.

It's an easy gift to make and a very welcome one, because it takes one job off a busy cook's list. It also doesn't mind where in the world Christmas is. Brush it on a hot ham in a snowy kitchen, or on a ham that goes straight back into the fridge to be eaten cold on a hot afternoon. Either way, you get that sticky, golden, shiny finish.

Packaging and Gifting

• Jars: two 250 ml jars hold the full batch. Four 125 ml jars are perfect for stocking fillers and neighbours. Use lids with a plastic lining or glass lids with a rubber seal, because vinegar can corrode bare metal.

• Decorate: tie a square of red check fabric over the lid with kitchen string. Thread a cinnamon stick or a star anise onto the tag. Keep the decoration dry and outside the jar.

• Gift tag message: "For the best ham on the table. Brush on and bake for 30 minutes. Merry Christmas!"

• Pairing ideas:

- A leg ham or a good ham from the deli (with a note to keep it in the fridge).

- A new silicone basting brush and a roasting rack.

- A jar of Tomato Kasundi for the leftovers on Boxing Day.

Making It With the Kids/Grandkids

Hot sugar and ovens are for grown ups, but there are good jobs for little hands.

• Ages 3 and up: measure the spices into a small bowl (already measured out by you) and give everything a sniff.

• Ages 5 and up: spoon the mustards and marmalade into the pot before it goes on the heat, and zest the orange with a grown up holding the grater.

• Ages 6 and up: press cloves into a scored ham, with supervision.

• Ages 8 and up: write the labels and decorate the lids and tags.

Keep children well back from the stove, hot jars and the oven.

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This post is part of my Edible Gifts From the Kitchen series. You can find more edible gift ideas and Christmas recipes here.

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With love, Kim xx

A troubleshooting guide for Christmas ham glaze with tips for fixing consistency, flavor, and burning issues.

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