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brown sugar glazed ham - featured image

Perfect Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with Pineapple and Cherries

  • Author: David
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10–12 servings 1x

Description

A festive, sweet, and savory glazed ham featuring brown sugar, pineapple rings, and maraschino cherries. Perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter, this recipe delivers a nostalgic flavor with a glossy caramelized finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole bone-in ham (8–10 lbs), spiral-cut preferred
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 can pineapple rings (about 8 slices, in juice)
  • 16–20 maraschino cherries
  • 1 cup pineapple juice (reserved from can or fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Whole cloves (optional, for studding)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles, about 4–5 minutes. Whisk in cornstarch if desired and simmer another minute.
  3. Brush ham generously with glaze, reserving half for later.
  4. Arrange pineapple rings over ham and secure with toothpicks. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring.
  5. Tent ham lightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  6. Remove foil, baste with more glaze, and continue baking for 1½–2 hours, basting every 30 minutes. Total cooking time should be about 15–18 minutes per pound.
  7. Check internal temperature—it should reach 140°F (60°C). Glaze should be caramelized and sticky.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
  9. Brush lightly with remaining glaze before serving.

Notes

Start with a fully thawed ham for even cooking. Baste every 30 minutes for a glossy finish. Let rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Add orange marmalade or apricot jam for extra depth. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: About 4 oz (115 g) p
  • Calories: 275
  • Sugar: 18
  • Sodium: 950
  • Fat: 10
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Carbohydrates: 20
  • Protein: 28

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

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Find it online: https://gurusrecipes.com/perfect-brown-sugar-glazed-ham-with-pineapple-and-cherries-recipe/