Baked Ham With Brown Sugar And Pineapple Recipe

When I prepared my Baked Ham With Pineapple, I discovered a delightful blend of tradition and sweetness. The succulent spiral ham mingled with tangy pineapple rings and a luscious brown sugar and honey glaze, creating a truly unique holiday centerpiece. I savored every bite of this undeniably mouthwatering treat.

I recently tried out a recipe that completely changed my view on holiday hams. It starts with a 8-10 lb fully cooked ham, spiral sliced just right, and goes on to become a dish that you wont forget.

I used a can with about 20 pineapple rings in juice, then mixed in 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup honey with 1/4 cup pineapple juice to create a glaze that is both sweet and layered. A pinch, about 1/4 tsp, of ground cloves (plus a few optional whole cloves if you feel daring) adds a subtle spice that makes it extra intriguing.

I finished the dish by placing 10-12 maraschino cherries on top. This pineapple glazed ham brown sugar creation is my go-to when I want a twist on tradition at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any time I feel like something different yet familiar.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because the sweet glaze made with honey and brown sugar gives the ham a deliciously sticky and balanced taste that mixes the savory and the sweet perfectly. I also really enjoy how the pineapple rings and even the option of studding cloves add a tangy twist that makes every bite taste a little different. The recipe is pretty simple to follow so even when I’m not super confident in the kitchen I can still pull it off during the busy holiday season. And honestly, the way it looks when it comes out of the oven with those maraschino cherries on top just makes me feel excited to serve it up for my family and friends.

Ingredients

• Ham offers abundant protein and rich flavor its savory taste contrasts sweet glaze well.
• Pineapple rings add tangy sweetness natural fibre and vitamins to balance salty ham.
• Brown sugar brings a deep molasses taste and caramel notes making glaze irresistibly sticky.
• Honey provides natural sweetness with slight floral hints and adds moisture to the dish.
• Ground cloves infuse warm spice and depth bring a subtle kick without overpowering.
• Maraschino cherries add a burst of color and tang adding fun and festive vibes.
• Optional cloves can be studded to intensify the aroma and boost flavour complexity.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8-10 lb fully cooked ham, spiral sliced
• 1 can (about 20 slices) pineapple rings in juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can)
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Optional whole cloves for studding
• 10-12 maraschino cherries

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and place your 8-10 lb fully cooked ham in a large baking dish.

2. If you like, score the ham lightly with diagonal cuts so the glaze can soak in better.

3. Arrange the pineapple rings evenly over the ham. If you want, you can stud a few pineapple rings with whole cloves for extra flavor.

4. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can), and 1/4 tsp ground cloves until it forms a smooth glaze.

5. Place about 20 pineapple slices from the can over the ham, using overlapping slices if needed.

6. Brush a generous amount of the glaze all over the ham and pineapple rings.

7. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for about 1 hour.

8. Remove the foil, baste the ham again with the remaining glaze, and continue baking, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes until the glaze bubbles and gets sticky.

9. Take the ham out of the oven and sprinkle 10-12 maraschino cherries on top before serving.

10. Let the ham rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Large baking dish
3. Sharp knife
4. Small mixing bowl
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Basting brush
7. Aluminum foil
8. Serving knife and fork

FAQ

Baked Ham With Brown Sugar And Pineapple Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have brown sugar, you can mix regular white sugar with a small splash of molasses until it looks similar.
• Instead of honey, you could swap in a bit of maple syrup or even agave nectar for a slightly different sweet flavor.
• If canned pineapple rings aren’t available, try using fresh pineapple slices or even a mix of canned tropical fruits in juice.
• Not got pineapple juice on hand? Orange or apple juice works pretty well as an alternative.

Pro Tips

1. You can score the ham a bit deeper if you want the glaze to seep in better so that every bite gets that sweet, tangy flavor.
2. Try to baste the ham more than once, especially near the end of baking, to make sure it gets extra sticky and flavorful all over.
3. If you really want that pineapple taste to pop, drizzle a little extra juice over the ham just before you finish baking.
4. Let the ham rest for a few minutes after it comes out the oven so the juices settle, this will make it way juicier when you slice it.