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Easy Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ham Sliders

brown sugar bourbon ham sliders - featured image
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Sticky, sweet, and savory ham sliders with a caramelized brown sugar bourbon glaze that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for game day, holidays, or any gathering where you want to impress without the stress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick, melted)
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 12-count package slider rolls (Hawaiian sweet rolls recommended)
  • 1 pound cooked ham, thinly sliced
  • 6–8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Make the glaze: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne (if using). Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Prep the rolls: Keep rolls connected in their original slab and slice the entire block in half horizontally. Place bottom half in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
  4. Layer ham evenly over bottom rolls (about 1/4 inch thick). Top with Swiss cheese slices, tearing to fit if needed. Place top half of rolls back on and press down gently.
  5. Pour about half the glaze over the top of the rolls, using a pastry brush or spoon to spread evenly into crevices. Brush remaining glaze onto sides and edges. Sprinkle poppy seeds on top if using.
  6. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5-7 minutes until tops are golden and glaze is bubbling. For extra sticky tops, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  7. Let sliders rest in pan for 5 minutes before serving. Use a spatula to lift each slider out, letting excess glaze drip back into the pan. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t skip the 5-minute rest after baking—it lets the glaze set. If using leftover ham, warm it slightly in the microwave before assembling. Use garlic powder, not fresh garlic, as fresh burns under the broiler. For make-ahead: assemble sliders without glaze up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then add glaze and bake. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in foil at 300°F for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham sliders, brown sugar bourbon glaze, easy appetizer, game day food, holiday appetizer, sticky sliders, party food

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/easy-brown-sugar-bourbon-glazed-ham-sliders/