Cherry Coke Holiday Glazed Ham

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This Cherry Coke Holiday Glazed Ham recipe is so easy, show-stopping, and unbelievably delicious. The Cherry Coke caramelizes into a glossy, sticky glaze while cherry preserves and warm spices make every bite taste like Christmas. (Perfect for Easter, too!)

This recipe is perfect for a 12–14 pound spiral-sliced ham, which means the hard work is already done for you—the ham is fully cooked! All you have to do is warm it low and slow, brush on that beautiful glaze, and let the oven work its magic.

Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner or feeding a house full of holiday guests, this sweet-savory ham is guaranteed to be the star of the table.

You’ve also got to try my Copycat Honey Baked Ham! This recipe is so popular. It’s super simple and a real crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Ham

• Holiday flavor with zero fuss — minimal prep, big payoff
• Spiral-sliced ham = easy serving
• Cherry Coke adds caramel depth & festive flavor
• Delicious leftovers for sandwiches!
• Hands-off cooking with simple ingredients

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

On the recipe card below, click “print recipe” and from there you can print out the page or screenshot it to save to your phone’s photo album.

Pin this recipe to save to Pinterest so you can make it later! You can Pin It from the recipe card below. Just click the “Pin Recipe” button. If you’d like to follow me on Pinterest , my page is Steph Gigliotti.

Equipment

• Roasting Pan
• Saucepan
• Baster
• Basting Brush
• Foil

For the Ham

• 13–14 lb spiral-sliced ham, fully cooked
• 1 cup Cherry Coke (I used a 20 ounce bottle for the whole recipe)
• 1/2 cup water

For the Glaze

• 1 1/2 cups Cherry Coke
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cherry preserves (or cherry jam)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional but delicious)
• Pinch of salt

How To Make It

Set Up the Ham

Preheat your oven to 300°F.
Place the ham cut-side down into a roasting pan, (with or without the roasting rack) and pour 1 cup Cherry Coke + 1/2 cup water into the bottom to keep everything moist.
Cover tightly with foil. You may need 2 pieces of foil.

Bake for 8 minutes per pound of ham, keeping all that steam trapped inside so the ham stays juicy. I baked my 13 pound ham for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Make the Cherry Coke Glaze

While the ham warms:

1. Add all glaze ingredients to a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then immediately lower to a simmer- so it doesn’t boil over (That’s such a mess! 😜)
3. Cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and syrupy.

The glaze should coat the back of a spoon.

Glaze + Finish Baking

After the ham has warmed:

1. Remove foil.
2. Brush 1/3 of glaze over the top, letting it drip between the slices.
3. Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
4. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, baking an additional 30 minutes, basting and adding another 1/3 of the glaze over top every 10 minutes. Pop it under the broiler for a couple of minutes for a caramelized crust.

When the glaze is shiny, caramelized, and bubbling, you’re ready!

Rest & Serve

Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slicing and plating, then drizzle extra warm glaze over the top from the roasting pan.

This glaze is incredible on mashed potatoes, rolls, and leftover ham sandwiches too!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! ⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section. 📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Tips for The Best Ham

• Spiral hams are fully cooked — you’re simply reheating and glazing.
• If the glaze thickens too much, whisk in a splash of Cherry Coke.
• Tent with foil if the edges caramelize faster than the center.

Serving Suggestions

A few perfect pairings:

• Cauliflower Mash
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole
• Zucchini Squash Casserole
• Yeast rolls or biscuits
• Christmas salads and veggie sides

FAQ’s

Do I really have to cook a spiral ham if it’s already fully cooked?

• Great question! Spiral hams are fully cooked when you buy them, but they still need to be warmed before serving.
• For the best texture and flavor, heat your ham for 8–10 minutes per pound at a low temperature (around 275–300°F).
• For a 13–14 pound ham, this comes out to roughly 2 to 2 ½ hours of gentle warming before you add the glaze. This keeps the ham juicy without drying it out.
• Then the ham goes back into the oven uncovered with the glaze for an additional 30–40 minutes to caramelize.

Can I use a different soda instead of Cherry Coke?

Yes! If Cherry Coke isn’t available (or you want to switch up the flavor), these options work beautifully:

Dr Pepper Cherry – the closest flavor match
Regular Dr Pepper – rich, caramelized, slightly spiced
Coke or Pepsi – classic cola sweetness
Cherry 7Up – lighter, sweeter, more fruity
Peach soda – fun twist and delicious in the summer
Orange soda – bright citrus notes
Black cherry soda – deep, bold cherry flavor

Avoid diet soda, if possible — the artificial sweeteners don’t caramelize the same way and may leave a bitter aftertaste.

Can I make this recipe with a non-spiral ham?

Absolutely. You can use a whole or half ham, bone-in or boneless. Just score the top in a crisscross pattern so the glaze can soak in. Cooking time will vary depending on the shape and cut, but the glaze works for all of them.

Should I cover the ham while baking?

Yes — at least for the warming stage.
Covering the ham traps moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Remove the foil only when you’re ready to glaze and caramelize.

What if my glaze thickens too much?

If your glaze becomes too thick to brush, simply whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of Cherry Coke until it’s pourable again.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! Make the glaze up to 3 days ahead, store it airtight in the refrigerator, and warm it before using.

How do I store leftover ham?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
It’s perfect for sliders, omelets, casseroles, and soups!

If you have leftover ham try Leftover Ham and Potato Soup or Leftover Ham Casserole.

What if my ham starts to brown too quickly?

If the edges caramelize faster than you want, simply tent the top loosely with foil during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking.

More Mains

• Copycat Honey Baked Ham
• Beef Tenderloin
• Cranberry Orange Pork Loin
• French Onion Pot Roast
• The Best Steak
• Apple Cider Pork Loin
• Three Packet Pot Roast

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