Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Printable)

Sweet glazed ham with cheeses, fruits, pickles, and breads arranged for an impressive spread.

# What You Need:

→ 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 rosemary and thyme for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and cloves in a small saucepan. Warm gently until sugar dissolves and the mixture is syrupy.
03 - Score the ham surface in a diamond pattern and brush generously with glaze.
04 - Place ham in a roasting pan and roast for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with glaze every 20 minutes, until thoroughly heated and caramelized. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing or shaping.
05 - Center the glazed ham or ham slices/roses on a large serving board.
06 - Arrange cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, and accompaniments symmetrically around the ham, grouping similar items together for a balanced presentation.
07 - Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely show-stopping but is surprisingly forgiving to put together, giving you back precious time to actually enjoy your guests
  • The sweet and savory glaze on the ham becomes an addictive reason everyone keeps coming back to the board
  • One centerpiece feeds a crowd elegantly without requiring you to stand in the kitchen all day
  • You can prep almost everything hours ahead, then simply arrange and serve
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period—I learned this the hard way when I sliced a ham too early and lost precious juices that could have made it more tender and flavorful
  • The glaze thickens as it cools, so brush it on while it's still warm; cold glaze won't adhere properly and will look dull instead of glossy
  • Apple slices brown quickly, so slice them last and toss with a little lemon juice if you're prepping ahead
  • Arrange your board as close to serving time as possible—cheeses sweat, fruits weep, and crackers lose their snap if assembled too far in advance
03 -
  • Score your ham before it goes in the oven, not after—the scores will close up slightly during cooking and still look stunning while protecting your knife from hard, caramelized edges
  • If your glaze seems too thin after cooking, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it into the glaze over low heat for a minute—this thickens it without changing the flavor
  • Keep your board at room temperature rather than chilled—everything tastes better, and the cheeses show off their true flavor and texture
  • A sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry cuts through ham cleanly without tearing; this makes slicing look effortless and beautiful
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