Name: Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 15 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10-12 pound fully cooked bone-in spiral cut ham; maraschino cherries, optional; toothpicks; foil; 20 oz canned pineapple slices (retain the pineapple juice); ¼ cup honey; ½ cup brown sugar (dark or light); ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon water

There’s something about the sweet, sticky touch of pineapple paired with a perfectly baked ham that just hits the spot every time. This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe brings together flavors that are comforting and festive—perfect if you want a centerpiece that tastes like a warm hug in every bite.

A cooked ham covered with shiny brown glaze, topped with multiple yellow pineapple rings arranged in a scattered pattern. Each pineapple ring holds a bright red maraschino cherry at the center, held in place by wooden toothpicks. The glaze looks thick and sticky, coating the ham and fruit evenly. The ham sits on crumpled silver foil, and the background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it marries that classic baked ham with a tropical sweetness that’s both simple and show-stopping. Every time I bring it out, guests ask for seconds and it’s honestly one of the easiest “wow” dishes to pull off.

Effortless Flavor Boost: The pineapple glaze adds natural sweetness and a hint of spice that complements the savory ham beautifully.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, making this recipe very accessible anytime.
Customizable Glaze: You can tweak the spices or sweetness to match your taste or dietary needs with ease.
Perfect for Gatherings: It serves a crowd and doubles as great leftovers, which I always appreciate after a big meal.

The image shows a close-up of a sliced baked ham on a white plate. The ham is sliced into many thin, even layers that fan out, showing a mix of shiny, golden-brown glazed edges and pinkish inner meat. The surface of the ham has a caramelized, slightly crispy texture with darker brown spots. The plate also has bits of cooked pineapple near the bottom left, adding a soft yellow contrast to the rich brown and pink colors of the ham. The background surface is a white marbled texture with a small part of a white and black checkered cloth visible at the bottom right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe come together in a way that balances sweet acidity with warm spices, creating that irresistible glaze that clings to the ham. Here’s why each one matters and some tips to make your shopping easier.

Flat lay of fresh bone-in spiral-cut ham with a natural pink hue, a small pile of golden yellow pineapple slices glistening with juice on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with glossy amber honey, a small white bowl containing light to medium brown granulated sugar, a small white bowl with fine ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a small white bowl holding a smooth white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with clear water, and a few bright red maraschino cherries all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pineapple slices: Using canned pineapple with the juice is key because the juice adds sweet tang and moisture to the glaze.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the glaze caramelize beautifully without burning.
Brown sugar or sweetener: Whether light or dark, it gives depth to the glaze and enhances that caramelized, sticky finish.
Ground cloves: A little goes a long way to bring a subtle, spicy warmth that’s perfect for holiday vibes.
Cinnamon: Adds a cozy aroma that complements the cloves and pineapple for that classic glaze flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the glaze so it sticks to the ham rather than running off in the pan.
Water: Needed to mix with cornstarch creating a slurry that thickens smoothly without lumps.
Fully cooked ham (bone-in, spiral cut): My go-to choice because it’s easy to carve and stays juicy during reheating.
Maraschino cherries (optional): These little pops of color are purely decorative but add a classic vintage charm.
Toothpicks and foil: Essentials for securing the pineapples and sealing in moisture during baking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it according to what you have or prefer. Trust me, you can make it your own without worrying about it turning out wrong.

Variation: I like adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when I want a little spicy kick; it wakes up the sweetness and surprises your taste buds.
Dietary Modifications: For a lower sugar version, try substituting honey with maple syrup and reduce the brown sugar—still tasty but a bit lighter.
Seasonal Adjustments: During winter holidays, I spice it up with a dash of nutmeg to deepen that cozy factor.
Extra Garnish: I often skip the maraschino cherries for a more natural look and sprinkle fresh chopped rosemary on top before serving.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Let the Ham Warm Up to Room Temperature

Before you even turn on the oven, pull your ham out of the fridge and let it rest for about an hour. This step is key because putting a cold ham straight into a hot oven can make it cook unevenly. Trust me, the ham feels so much juicier and bakes more evenly when it’s not a shock to the system.

Step 2: Prepare Your Oven and Score the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). If your ham isn’t spiral cut, scoring the surface with shallow diagonal cuts makes the glaze soak in beautifully and creates those pretty baked patterns. I usually skip scoring if I have a spiral-sliced ham—that cut is already perfect for glazing.

Step 3: Make the Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble—this is where the magic starts! Next, mix cornstarch with water separately, then slowly add this slurry to the pan while stirring. The glaze will thicken and get glossy—perfect for coating your ham.

Step 4: Glaze, Arrange, and Secure

Place your ham on a foil-lined roasting pan and brush the glaze generously all over, making sure to get it into any scores or crevices. Arrange pineapple slices over the ham and use toothpicks to secure them in place. If you’re using maraschino cherries, now’s the time to add them for that classic look!

Step 5: Bake Covered, Then Uncovered

Tent the ham loosely with foil—don’t wrap it too tightly because you want to keep some airflow while locking moisture in. Bake for about 1½ hours, then remove the foil and baste again with glaze. Continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to get that gorgeous, sticky finish. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing—that’s when all those flavors really settle in.

Top Tip

From many attempts, here are the top tips that helped me nail this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe every single time. These little pointers make a big difference and save you from common pitfalls.

Room Temp Rest: Don’t skip letting your ham come to room temperature—it keeps the texture tender and reduces baking time inconsistencies.
Glaze Thickness: Add the cornstarch slurry slowly and stir constantly to avoid lumps and achieve that perfect glossy texture.
Loose Foil Tenting: Keep the foil tent loose to prevent the glaze from sticking to it and to avoid sogginess on the outside of the ham.
Final Uncovered Bake: That last 30 minutes uncovered is what gives you those caramelized edges packed with flavor—don’t rush it!

How to Serve Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

Pineapple Glazed Ham - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple and fresh. A handful of freshly chopped parsley or rosemary sprigs nestled around the ham adds a lovely pop of color and a hint of herbaceous aroma that balances the sweetness perfectly.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides include creamy mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, and a crisp spinach salad with vinaigrette. The creamy, crunchy, and fresh textures alongside the sweet ham feel just right for a comforting spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I served this ham sliced on a large wooden board surrounded by a colorful mix of grilled vegetables and toasted pecans for a rustic, festive look. Another time, I arranged the pineapple and cherries in a flower pattern over the ham which instantly made it the centerpiece at a family dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying the feast, I wrap leftover ham tightly in foil or airtight containers and refrigerate. It stays moist for up to 4 days, which is perfect for quick lunches or dinner leftovers.

Freezing

You can freeze slices or chunks of glazed ham by wrapping them in plastic wrap and then foil, or using freezer-safe bags. It holds up well for about 2-3 months, making it great for meal prepping or holiday leftovers.

Reheating

When reheating, cover the ham with foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C) until heated through—this keeps the moisture locked in. You can brush a little extra glaze on before warming for an extra boost of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned for the glaze?

Fresh pineapple is delicious but tends to have more moisture and can alter the consistency of the glaze. If you use fresh, reduce additional liquids slightly and simmer a bit longer to thicken properly.

Should I buy a pre-cooked ham or fresh for this recipe?

Pre-cooked hams, especially spiral cut, are ideal for this recipe because they make preparation quicker and more foolproof. Fresh hams require longer cooking times and careful monitoring but can be used if you adjust cooking times accordingly.

What’s the best way to prevent the glaze from burning?

To prevent burning, keep your oven at a moderate temperature (325°F) and make sure to cover the ham with foil during most of the baking. Removing the foil only at the end helps caramelize the glaze without charring it.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the glaze a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just rewarm gently before brushing it on the ham to help it melt smoothly.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe has become a reliable crowd-pleaser in my home, combining that perfect balance of sweet and savory with little fuss. I love how it’s just as good the next day, making your effort stretch far beyond the initial meal. Give it a try—once you do, you might just have your new favorite holiday or Sunday dinner tradition.