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Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake, a sweet and savory holiday dish

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake

A succulent ham glazed with brown sugar and pineapple, perfect for festive gatherings and family dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Holiday, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 whole fully cooked bone-in ham (about 6–8 pounds)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices in juice (reserve juice)
  • ½ cup pineapple juice (from can)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 325°F (165°C). Place ham in a large roasting pan, cut side down.
  2. Score the Ham: With a sharp knife, score the ham's surface in a diamond pattern, about ¼ inch deep.
Making the Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 3–4 minutes).
  2. Brush a generous layer of glaze over the ham. Arrange pineapple slices over the surface and secure with toothpicks if needed.
Baking
  1. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, basting with more glaze every 20–30 minutes.
  2. Remove foil for the last 20–30 minutes of baking to let the glaze become golden and slightly sticky.
Serving
  1. Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Remove pineapple slices and serve alongside the ham.

Notes

For extra flavor, baste more than you think you need. Letting the ham rest before slicing is key for juicy meat.