This gingersnap crusted ham features a tender and juicy ham that is coated in Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and crushed gingersnap cookies! The combination of the savory ham and sweet gingersnap crust is unlike anything else! Go ahead and prepare this mouthwatering ham for the holidays and you will not be disappointed!
Get started by rinsing your ham and patting it dry with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
5 lb ham
Score the outside of the ham using a sharp knife. To do this, place the knife at the top of the ham and spiral it around as you rotate the meat, working your way to the bottom. Repeat this going in the opposite direction in order to make a crisscross pattern.
Transfer your ham to a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake it in the preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) until the internal temperature of the ham reads 130°F (54°C). This will take about 1-3 hours, depending on the weight of your ham.
Remove the ham from the oven and take off the aluminum foil. Use tongs to carefully remove the rind from the ham if needed. Then, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pat the ham dry with paper towels and then brush on the Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the entire ham with brown sugar and lightly spritz it with Bourbon (or vanilla extract), if using. Finally, press the crushed Gingersnap cookies onto the exterior of the ham.
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup Gingersnap cookies, 2 tablespoon Bourbon
Place the ham back into the oven and bake it at 350°F (175°C) until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), about 30-60 minutes.
Once baked, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
The Bourbon is completely optional. Feel free to swap it out for some vanilla extract or omit it altogether. Use a spritz bottle to easily add this decadent touch in an even layer over the gingersnap crust.
I used a heritage Berkshire pork ham for this recipe and strongly recommend it. The quality was amazing and literally melts in your mouth!
Most hams take 22-25 minutes per pound to heat thoroughly at 325°F (165°C).
Make sure to give your ham 30 minutes to rest. If you slice the ham before it has rested, the juices will run out of the meat and cause it to dry out.
To store: This tasty ham will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely and then place it into an airtight container before storing.
To freeze: Slice your ham into pieces and then place the pieces into a storage bag for freezing.
To reheat: You can easily enjoy these leftovers cold. However, you can reheat your ham in a baking dish that is covered with aluminum foil. Bake it in the oven at 275°F (135°C) until heated all the way through.