How do I cook my Cumberland ham?

Before cooking soak your ham in cold water for a minimum of 24 hours. For a mature ham 36 or even 48 hours is preferable. Any mature bloom that may be present should then be scrubbed off before cooking. Cover the ham with a dough crust or baking foil and place in a roasting tin and cook in a preheated oven (190 °C/gas 5):

6 kg and over 35 mins/kg
4 - 6 kg 45 mins/kg
2 - 4 kg 60 mins/kg
up to 2 kg 80 mins/kg

When your ham has cooled, remove the skin and sprinkle Demerara sugar over the surface of the ham. Place under a hot grill until golden brown. (Please note these times are given as a guide only. As modern ovens can vary greatly in their characteristics you must use your own judgment if you feel they should be changed. We cannot accept responsibility for any problems caused by incorrect cooking). 

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