Description
Classic baked ham with pineapple and brown sugar glaze delights holiday tables with its sweet and savory profile. Succulent ham slices glazed in caramelized pineapple sauce promise a delectable centerpiece you’ll savor until the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (8–10 lbs or 3.6–4.5 kg)
- 1 (20 oz or 567 g) can pineapple slices, drained
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup whole cloves (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position the oven rack in the lower third at 325F (163C). Place ham cut-side down in a roasting pan, creating a delicate crosshatch pattern by slicing shallow diamonds across the surface. Optionally embed whole cloves at diamond intersections for aromatic depth.
- Glaze Creation: Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and ground cinnamon in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until sugar dissolves and the mixture develops a glossy, slightly thickened texture. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Decorative Arrangement: Arrange pineapple rings across the ham’s surface, securing each with toothpicks. Nestle maraschino cherries at the center of each pineapple ring, adding additional toothpicks if necessary.
- Initial Glazing and Roasting: Generously coat the ham with half the prepared glaze, ensuring complete coverage. Loosely tent the roasting pan with aluminum foil and roast for approximately 1.5 hours.
- Final Baking and Caramelization: Remove foil and continue baking, brushing remaining glaze over the ham every 15-20 minutes. Allow each glaze application to caramelize and intensify flavors. Target an internal temperature of 140F (60C).
- Serving: Remove ham from oven and let rest for 15 minutes to redistribute juices. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzling any remaining glaze for a final flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Precise Ham Cutting: Create shallow diamond patterns for even glaze absorption and attractive presentation without cutting too deeply into the meat.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure 140F internal temperature, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety and juicy texture.
- Glaze Application Strategy: Apply glaze in multiple layers during final roasting stages to build complex caramelized flavors and achieve beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Dietary Adaptation Tip: For low-sugar diets, substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar content while maintaining glaze consistency using sugar-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg