Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Print View)

An inviting glazed ham surrounded by cheeses, fruits, and breads for special holiday spreads.

# Components:

→ Glazed Ham

01 - 1 boneless ham (3–4 pounds)
02 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/4 cup honey
04 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
06 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 cup dried apricots

→ Breads & Crackers

18 - 1 baguette, sliced
19 - 8 ounces assorted crackers
20 - 4 ounces breadsticks

→ Accompaniments

21 - 1/2 cup whole grain mustard
22 - 1/2 cup fig jam
23 - 1/2 cup mixed olives
24 - 1/2 cup cornichons (small pickles)
25 - 1/2 cup roasted nuts (almonds or pecans)
26 - Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Heat gently until sugar dissolves and mixture becomes syrupy.
03 - Score the ham surface in a diamond pattern and brush generously with the prepared glaze.
04 - Place ham in a roasting pan and roast for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with glaze every 20 minutes, until heated through and caramelized. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shaping.
05 - Position the glazed ham or sliced ham roses at the center of a large serving board.
06 - Arrange cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, and accompaniments radiating outward from the center, grouping similar items together for balanced presentation.
07 - Add fresh herbs as garnish and serve immediately to maintain freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on the table—your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen when really you've just orchestrated something beautiful and delicious
  • One dish does the heavy lifting for your whole meal, meaning you can actually enjoy time with the people you've invited
  • Everyone finds something they love, from the person who lives for cheese to the one sneaking spoonfuls of fig jam
  • The glazed ham stays moist and flavorful, getting better as it cools slightly, which means it's forgiving and actually improves over the course of the gathering
02 -
  • Don't skip the basting step—I learned this the hard way when I tried to save time and ended up with a ham that looked beautiful but was slightly dry. Those 20-minute intervals aren't busywork; they're what creates that glossy, professional-looking exterior and keeps the interior moist and flavorful
  • Arrange your board no more than 2 hours before serving—I once made a board in the morning and by afternoon the apples had oxidized and the berries had started to weep. Everything stays fresher and more beautiful when assembled closer to serving time
  • Take a photo before anyone touches it, because once people dive in, that perfect composition disappears in the best possible way
03 -
  • Score the ham in a crosshatch pattern before glazing—this creates more surface area for caramelization and helps the glaze penetrate into the meat for deeper flavor throughout
  • Keep your board components at room temperature as much as possible—cold cheese doesn't show its full flavor, and room temperature fruit is more flavorful and juicy than chilled
  • If you're making the board ahead, wait to slice the apples and arrange the more delicate fruits until closer to serving—prep everything else the night before to minimize last-minute stress
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