Glazed Ham Centerpiece Board (Print)

A stunning board with glazed ham, cheeses, fruits, and breads arranged beautifully for entertaining occasions.

# What you'll 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 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves if using. Warm over low heat until sugar dissolves and glaze is syrupy.
02 - Place the ham in a roasting pan. Score the surface in a diamond pattern and brush generously with the prepared glaze.
03 - Roast the ham for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with glaze every 20 minutes until heated through and caramelized on the outside. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shaping into decorative roses.
04 - Place the glazed ham or shaped ham slices at the center of a large serving board.
05 - Arrange cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, and accompaniments symmetrically around the ham, grouping like items together for balance and visual appeal.
06 - Garnish with fresh rosemary and thyme. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on the table—the kind of centerpiece that makes people gasp a little when they walk in, yet it's simple enough that you're not stressed the whole time you're cooking
  • The sweet glazed ham is your anchor, but the board lets everyone build their own perfect bite with their favorite cheeses and fruits, so there's no fighting over portions
  • You can prep most of it ahead, which means you're actually relaxing with your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen
02 -
  • Never skip the resting period after roasting. I once cut into a ham immediately and it was dry and disappointing, even though I'd done everything else right. Fifteen minutes changed everything.
  • If your board looks empty in spots, that's not a problem—it's intentional breathing room. I learned this the hard way by over-crowding my first board and making it look cluttered instead of curated.
03 -
  • Don't waste time trying to make ham roses unless you really love a challenge—simple slices arranged in a slight overlap look sophisticated and you'll actually finish on time
  • Buy your cheese the day before and keep it in a cool place, but take it out 30 minutes before serving so the flavors and textures really shine
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