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Easy Christmas Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe

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This Christmas brown sugar pineapple glazed ham is the perfect holiday centerpiece—incredibly easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep, using simple pantry ingredients. The sweet-tart glaze creates a sticky, caramelized crust while the pineapple juice keeps the meat incredibly moist and juicy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in, fully cooked spiral-cut ham
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 (20 oz) can pineapple rings in juice
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Move the rack to the lower third of the oven.
  2. Prepare the ham: Remove from packaging, trim fat to 1/4-inch thickness, pat dry with paper towels, and place flat-side down on a rack in a roasting pan.
  3. Score the ham (optional): Make shallow diagonal cuts about 1/4-inch deep across the surface to create a diamond pattern.
  4. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, and cinnamon. Whisk constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth and slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat.
  5. Tent the ham with aluminum foil and roast for 10 minutes per pound (about 1 hour 20 minutes for 8 lbs, 1 hour 40 minutes for 10 lbs).
  6. After initial roasting, remove ham from oven, carefully remove foil, and increase oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Brush a generous layer of glaze all over the ham, getting into spiral cuts. Arrange pineapple rings over the surface, securing with toothpicks if needed. Brush more glaze over the pineapple rings.
  7. Roast uncovered for 30-45 minutes, basting with remaining glaze every 15 minutes. If top gets too dark, tent with a small piece of foil.
  8. Check temperature: Ham is ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding bone) registers 140°F (60°C).
  9. Rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
  10. Carve and serve: For spiral-cut ham, follow existing cuts. For non-spiral, slice against the grain into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick pieces. Arrange on a platter with glazed pineapple rings and drizzle with pan juices.

Notes

Don’t boil the glaze or the sugar can crystallize. Baste often with thin layers for the best sticky crust. Watch the sugar—if it gets too dark, tent the top with foil. Use the pan juices as a sauce. Let the ham rest before carving to keep it juicy. Leftover ham keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas ham, brown sugar glazed ham, pineapple glazed ham, holiday ham, Easter ham, spiral ham, glazed ham recipe

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/easy-christmas-brown-sugar-pineapple-glazed-ham-recipe/