Roughly two-thirds of American families will enjoy baked ham for Easter dinner, according to Kentucky Legend Hams, a producer of smoked ham, in Owensboro, Kentucky. The most popular accompaniment to ham: corn, followed by green beans.

The easiest way to prepare ham, of course, is to start with one that's boneless and fully cooked. Figure 1/4 to 1/3 lb. per person. Simply brush with glaze, pop it into the oven, and baste with more glaze and pan juices every 20 minutes toward the end of cooking.

There are lots of preferences when it comes to baking ham--covered vs. uncovered, very low heat vs. higher heat, etc. Here's our favorite, along with three flavorful glazes.

As for wine, choose Sauvignon Blanc if the ham isn't glazed, and Riesling if you use a sweet glaze.

If you have questions about preparing ham, Kentucky Legend Hams is sponsoring a ham hotline: M-F, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m EST, until the end of April. Call (1-866-343-5058).

Basic baked boneless, glazed ham

1 4- to 6-lb. fully cooked ham serves 10 to 12 people (1/4 to 1/3 lb. per person)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
  2. Trim outer skin from ham, if any, and score ham on the diagonal, making diamond-shaped slits with a sharp paring knife, on bottom, sides and top of ham.
  3. Brush ham with desired glaze and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Tent lightly with aluminum foil to help keep ham moist.
  4. Roast ham for about 15 to 20 minutes per pound, or until meat thermometer reads 140 degrees. 
  5. Remove foil after about one hour of baking. Brush more glaze over the ham and baste every 20 minutes until ham is heated to an internal temperature of 160° 
  6. For a more caramelized glaze, turn oven to broil, and broil for several minutes, watching carefully so that ham doesn't burn.

Spicy Whiskey Ham Glaze

Makes about 1 cup, enough for a 4-6 lb. boneless ham

1/2 cup whiskey
1/3 firmly packed cup light brown sugar
2 Tbs. finely grated orange peel
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
Orange slices (thinly sliced)

Directions:

  1. Simmer the brown sugar, whiskey, orange peel, cloves, and allspice over medium low heat for about 15 minutes (until slightly thickened).
  2. Brush glaze on ham, every 20 minutes toward the end of cooking

Apricot Ham Glaze

Makes about 1 cup, enough for boneless, 4-6 lb. ham

1/2 cup apricot preserves
1 Tbs. cornstarch
3/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2 Tbs. lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Spoon ham glaze over ham and baste during last 30 minutes of baking.

Orange Ham Glaze and Sauce

Makes about 2 cups, enough for 4-6-lb. boneless ham

10 oz. orange marmalade
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup orange juice (no pulp)
1 Tbs. prepared mustard
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan over low heat, combine marmalade, orange juice, mustard, cloves, and ginger. Simmer for 5 minutes. 
  2. Spoon half of the orange mixture over the ham; continue baking for 30 minutes.
  3. Add raisins to the remaining orange mixture and serve with ham.

All glaze recipes adapted from Kentucky Legend Hams. Photo credit: myrecipes.com