Tested & Confirmed: the Foolproof Baking Method for Appleton Farms Ham
By Chloe Bennett
Appleton Farms spiral hams include an external dry seasoning pouch labeled as a brown sugar glaze packet. Many home cooks follow the packet instructions blindly, dumping the glaze on early in the bake cycle. This is a mistake. Sucrose and dextrose burn rapidly when exposed to heat above 350°F for longer than 20 minutes.
Prepare the glaze while the ham sits through its final 30 minutes of steaming. Empty the pouch into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of warm water, apple cider, or bourbon to dissolve the crystalline sugars into a rich syrup. Simmer for 2 minutes until translucent.
Once your thermometer registers 130°F at the core, pull the pan from the oven. Discard the foil tent carefully, watching out for escaping steam. Brush the warm glaze thoroughly over the exterior rind and down into the upper margins of the spiral cuts. Crank your oven to 425°F, or switch to a low broil, and return the uncovered pan to the center rack for 8 to 12 minutes.
Watch the surface through the oven window. The sugar will bubble vigorously, transforming from a pale brown syrup into a mahogany shell. As soon as the glaze begins to foam with dark amber edges, remove it immediately. Allowing the ham to caramelize in the oven under direct convection delivers that sweet crunch without charring the sugar to bitterness.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
