Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Printable)

Sweet glazed ham paired with cheeses, fruits, pickles, and breads for festive entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Glazed Ham

01 - 1 boneless ham (6.5–9 lbs)
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

# How-To:

01 - Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Heat gently until sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes syrupy.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern. Brush the ham generously with the prepared glaze.
03 - Roast the ham for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with additional glaze every 20 minutes until heated through and caramelized. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shaping into roses.
04 - Place the glazed ham or ham slices in the center of a large serving board.
05 - Arrange cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, crackers, and accompaniments symmetrically around the ham, grouping similar items together for visual balance.
06 - Decorate the board with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs. Serve immediately for maximum freshness and appeal.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all day cooking, but the ham does most of the work while you simply arrange beautiful things around it
  • The sweet and savory glaze caramelizes into something absolutely addictive—people keep coming back for just one more slice
  • Everyone from the picky uncle to the adventurous cousin finds something they love on this board
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble it just before guests arrive, so you're actually relaxing instead of stressed
02 -
  • Never skip the basting step—that's what creates the beautiful caramelized glaze that makes people come back for thirds. I learned this when I skipped it once and ended up with a dry, sticky ham instead of glossy perfection.
  • The glaze should be applied to a cool ham—if you glaze it when it's cold, it sticks better and builds up in layers. Each basting adds another coat of deliciousness.
  • Slice apples and cucumbers as close to serving time as possible, or they'll oxidize and look sad. If you must do it ahead, toss apples in lemon juice to prevent browning.
03 -
  • If you want the ham roses to hold their shape, chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes after folding—the cold makes them firm and beautiful
  • Arrange your board on a surface that's slightly elevated so everyone can actually see and reach everything; a tiered approach is even better if you have the space
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