Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Printer View)

A sweet glazed ham adorned with cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments for elegant entertaining.

# Components:

→ Glazed Ham

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

→ Cheese Selection

07 - 6 ounces aged cheddar, sliced
08 - 6 ounces brie, cut into wedges
09 - 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
10 - 4 ounces 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 ounces assorted crackers
20 - 4 ounces 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

# Method steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves. Warm gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves and glaze is syrupy.
03 - Place the ham in a roasting pan, score its surface in a diamond pattern, and brush generously with the prepared glaze.
04 - Roast the ham for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting every 20 minutes with additional glaze, until heated through and caramelized on the surface.
05 - Allow the ham to rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shaping into decorative roses.
06 - Place the glazed ham or arranged slices at the center of a large board or platter.
07 - Symmetrically arrange cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, crackers, and accompaniments radiating outward from the ham, grouping similar items for visual appeal.
08 - Garnish the board with fresh rosemary and thyme, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that doesn't require you to be in the kitchen all evening—most of the glory comes from arrangement, not fussing.
  • Everyone finds something they love, whether they're a cheese devotee, fruit lover, or bread enthusiast, so no one feels left out.
  • The glazed ham itself is pure comfort—sweet, savory, and so tender you can eat it with just a cracker.
02 -
  • Baste the ham every 20 minutes without fail—this is what transforms it from plain to glossy and caramelized. Skip this, and you'll end up with a dry ham that no amount of glaze can save.
  • Let the ham rest for 15 minutes after roasting; this keeps the slices tender instead of drying out and crumbling. I learned this the hard way at my first gathering.
  • Arrange everything on the board no more than 30 minutes before serving—fruits like apples and strawberries will begin to oxidize, and crackers can soften from the moisture on the board.
03 -
  • If you can't find quality boneless ham, a bone-in ham works beautifully too—just account for extra weight and add 15–20 minutes to the roasting time, and your presentation will shift to slices rather than roses, which is equally lovely.
  • Keep a spray bottle of water mixed with a tablespoon of honey nearby while the ham roasts—if the glaze ever looks like it's burning on the edges, a light mist keeps it from charring while maintaining that gorgeous caramelization.
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