Ingredient Notes
Fully cooked spiral ham is the ideal choice for this recipe. Spiral-cut hams are pre-sliced in a continuous cut that spirals around the bone, which means the cola glaze can flow between the slices during cooking and infuse the entire ham with flavor rather than sitting only on the surface. A bone-in ham delivers more flavor than boneless — the bone contributes depth to the braising liquid as it heats — but boneless works perfectly well and is easier to carve. Look for a ham in the 6 to 8 pound range, which fits comfortably in most large crockpots. If you need to use a larger ham, you may need to trim a small section off one end so the lid can close fully.
Cola — one standard 12 oz can or slightly less than 2 cups — is the foundation of the braising liquid. Classic Coca-Cola or Pepsi both work. The flavor differences between cola brands are subtle enough that any standard cola will produce excellent results. As noted above, regular cola is preferred over diet for the glaze.
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