Mastering the Art of Cooking Sugardale Prestige Smoked Ham

As far as smoked hams go it’s hard to beat the delicious flavor and juicy texture of Sugardale Prestige. This iconic brand has been crafting world-class hams for over 90 years using time-honored smoking methods. The result is a bone-in ham packed with irresistible hardwood smokiness.

But simply throwing a Sugardale ham in the oven doesn’t guarantee show-stopping results To truly get the most out of these premium hams, it pays to follow a few expert cooking tips

In this guide, I’ll share my foolproof process for reheating and glazing a Sugardale Prestige smoked ham worthy of your most special occasions and holiday feasts. Let’s get started!

Why Choose Sugardale Prestige Ham?

There are plenty of ham options out there, so why does Sugardale Prestige earn my vote year after year? Here are some standout qualities:

• Tender and Juicy – Thanks to careful smoking over real hardwood, the meat stays ridiculously moist and supple.

• Bold Smoky Flavor – You can truly taste the wood smoke in every tasty bite. Hickory and applewood are commonly used.

• High Quality – These hams are crafted from fresh pork legs and hocks. No water or phosphates are added.

• Good Value – For the premium quality, Sugardale Prestige hams are very reasonably priced.

The authentic smokehouse flavor and foolproof juiciness make these hams well worth seeking out. Now let’s get cooking!

Step 1 – Select Your Ham

Sugardale Prestige hams come in a variety of sizes to suit any gathering:

• Half Ham (8-10 lbs) – Feeds 10-14 people
• Quarter Ham (4-5 lbs) – Feeds 4-6 people
• Petite Ham (2-3 lbs) – Feeds 2-4 people

Choose a size based on the number of guests you plan to serve. Having tasty leftovers is a nice bonus too!

Step 2 – Prep the Ham

Prepping your ham is simple but important:

• Remove ham from packaging and unwrap completely.
• Place ham fat side up on a cutting board.
• With a sharp knife, score the fat cap by making shallow X marks. This allows the glaze to really penetrate and adhere.
• Let the ham sit out at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. This reduces baking time.

Now your ham is ready to go in the oven!

Step 3 – Bake the Ham

To bake your Sugardale Prestige ham, follow these easy steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. This low temp ensures even, gentle heating.
• Place ham face down on a rack in a foil-lined roasting pan. Add 1/2 inch water to the bottom.
• Liberally brush ham all over with your glaze (see glaze recipes below). Load up on that sticky goodness!
• Loosely tent foil over the ham, leaving a little air flow. This locks in natural moisture.
• Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound, until the internal temp reaches 140°F.

This “low and slow” method prevents the ham from drying out while warming all the way through.

Step 4 – Add More Glaze and Finish

Once your ham has initially baked and warmed through, it’s time to caramelize the glaze:

• Remove ham from oven and increase heat to 425°F.
• Generously brush ham with another layer of glaze. Massage it in so it really coats the scored fat cap.
• Return to oven and bake uncovered for about 10-15 minutes, until glaze is nicely caramelized.
• Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute.

Added tip: Save any glaze drippings to serve alongside the sliced ham!

Brown Sugar Cherry Glaze

While a basic Sugardale Prestige ham is great on its own, a gourmet glaze can bring it to the next level. This brown sugar cherry combo is a favorite:

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup cherry preserves
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes until thickened.
• Brush over ham before and during baking.

The tart cherry and spicy mustard make a perfect sweet, savory and slightly spicy complement to the smoky pork flavor. Feel free to experiment with your own glaze creations too!

Handy Tips for Ham Success

Here are some additional pointers for first-time Sugardale Prestige ham cooks:

• Use a meat thermometer to eliminate guesswork on doneness. Cook to 140°F.

• Let the ham rest 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute. This prevents dryness.

• Save the bone and leftovers for bean soup, casseroles, sandwiches and more!

• Undercooking is better than overcooking. You can always bake it a bit longer if needed.

• Relax and have fun! Smoked ham is very forgiving and simple to prepare.

Satisfy Your Ham Cravings in Style

The incredible flavor, built-in convenience and affordability make Sugardale Prestige smoked ham a go-to for parties, holidays and Sunday dinners.

Follow my easy step-by-step cooking method and you’ll have juicy, glazed ham perfection every time. Now get out there and start enjoying more of this timeless cured pork delicacy!