Honey Glazed Ham Pineapple (Printable Version)

Ham glazed with honey and pineapple serves as a flavorful centerpiece for festive gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Ham

01 - 1 fully cooked bone-in ham, approximately 8–10 pounds

→ Glaze

02 - 1 cup honey
03 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
05 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

→ Garnish & Basting

08 - 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple rings, drained and juice reserved
09 - 1 jar (6 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained
10 - Whole cloves, optional for studding

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a large roasting pan with foil and position the ham cut side down.
02 - Score the ham surface in a diamond pattern. Optionally stud intersections with whole cloves for enhanced aroma.
03 - Combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, unsalted butter, ground cloves, and 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar fully dissolves.
04 - Brush one-third of the glaze over the ham, tent loosely with foil, and bake for 1 hour.
05 - Remove foil. Attach pineapple rings around the ham surface using toothpicks. Place a maraschino cherry in each ring center.
06 - Brush additional glaze over ham. Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, basting every 15 minutes with remaining glaze until caramelized and fully heated (internal temperature 140°F).
07 - Allow ham to rest for 15 minutes. Remove pineapples and cherries, slice, and serve accompanied by pan juices.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey glaze caramelizes into a sticky, golden finish that everyone will ask about.
  • This centerpiece takes little effort but looks like you fussed for hours.
02 -
  • If you skip basting, the glaze won't caramelize properly—I did once and regretted the bland finish.
  • Slicing against the grain keeps the meat tender—I learned this after one chewy holiday mishap.
03 -
  • Carve the ham at the table for showmanship and to catch all the pan juices.
  • A dash more ground cloves in the glaze can make the aroma unforgettable—but only for spice lovers.
Go Back