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: 20 oz canned pineapple slices (retain the pineapple juice); ¼ cup honey; ½ cup brown sweetener or sugar (dark or light); ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon water; 10-12 pound fully cooked ham (bone-in, spiral cut preferred); maraschino cherries (optional); toothpicks; foil

Nothing quite says holiday comfort like the sweet, tangy aroma of a golden ham fresh out of the oven. This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe brings that perfect balance of savory and fruity sweetness that quickly becomes the centerpiece on any table. Trust me, it’s the kind of dish people hum about long after the last slice is gone.

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

From my very first time making this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe, I was hooked. The glaze isn’t just a topping — it seeps into the ham, making every bite a tender, flavorful celebration. Plus, it’s straightforward enough for weeknight dinners or special gatherings alike.

Sweet and Savory Fusion: The pineapple and brown sugar glaze delivers a gorgeous contrast that elevates the ham beyond ordinary.
Easy Ingredient Prep: Using canned pineapple and pantry staples means less fuss, more flavor.
Perfect for Big Groups: This recipe handles a whole 10-12 pound ham, ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Flexible and Friendly: Whether it’s your first ham or you’re an old pro, the tips here help you avoid common pitfalls.

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 ingredient lineup is simple, but each one plays a crucial role in that luscious glaze that coats the ham. When you get good-quality brown sugar and fresh spices, the flavors marry beautifully — and don’t skimp on the pineapple juice; it’s liquid gold here.

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

Canned Pineapple Slices: Retain the juice to add natural tangy sweetness and moisture to your glaze.
Honey: Adds smooth, floral sweetness that complements the brown sugar’s richness.
Brown Sweetener or Sugar: Provides depth and caramel notes; dark or light works fine depending on your preference.
Ground Cloves: A little goes a long way to infuse warmth and complexity.
Cinnamon: Helps brighten the glaze with that cozy spice you crave around the holidays.
Cornstarch: Thickens the glaze perfectly, so it clings to the ham without running everywhere.
Water: Used to make the cornstarch slurry for smooth consistency.
Fully Cooked Ham (Bone-In, Spiral Cut Preferred): Bone-in hams stay juicy and flavorful — plus spiral cuts make serving a breeze.
Maraschino Cherries: Tot optional but adds a festive pop of color that’s as charming as it is tasty.
Toothpicks and Foil: Essential tools for securing your pineapples and cherries and creating that perfect roasting environment.

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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 my favorite things about this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to tweak and tailor to your taste or occasion. After all, sometimes you want bright and bold, other times mellow and comforting.

Variation: I’ve tried adding a splash of bourbon to the glaze for a smoky undertone — it was a total crowd-pleaser at a dinner party. You might want to experiment with a little ginger or allspice, too, for extra warmth.

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

Step 1: Let the Ham Warm Up

I always take the ham out of the fridge about an hour before baking — I promise this little patience pay-off helps it cook more evenly and keeps that beautiful texture.

Step 2: Prep the Oven and Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F. If your ham isn’t spiral cut, make shallow scores in a diamond pattern — this helps the glaze soak in. Pour the glaze ingredients into a saucepan, heating gently and stirring to melt the sugar and marry the flavors.

Step 3: Thicken That Glaze

Mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir it into your spiced pineapple glaze slowly. Stir until you see it transform into a glossy, thick sauce that’s just begging to coat your ham.

Step 4: Glaze and Adorn

Set the ham on a foil-lined pan and brush your glaze generously all over. Use toothpicks to secure pineapple slices and maraschino cherries — not only adorable but they let the fruit infuse even more flavor as it bakes.

Step 5: Bake and Baste

Cover the ham loosely with foil to insulate without sticking, then bake for about 1½ hours. Uncover, baste again for a glossy finish, and pop it back in uncovered for another 30 minutes to get that irresistible caramelization.

Step 6: Rest Before Serving

Patience pays here — I always let the ham rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing. It keeps the juices locked in and makes serving easier and neater.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned some neat tricks that make my Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe shine without stress. These tips help avoid common mistakes and get you to that perfect glaze every time.

Bring It to Room Temperature: Never bake your ham cold—it shocks the meat and can dry it out. Allow it to warm up before the oven.
Use Cornstarch for Glaze: I tried flour, but it clumped terribly. Cornstarch keeps the glaze silky smooth and brilliantly shiny.
Don’t Wrap Too Tight: Keep your foil tent loose to avoid sticking and preserve that sticky sweet glaze on the ham.
Customize Spices: Adjust cloves and cinnamon slightly based on sweetness preference—it’s your masterpiece.

How to Serve Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

baked ham with pineapple - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to garnish this ham with fresh rosemary sprigs and extra pineapple wedges on the side—it adds freshness and a lovely pop of color that feels festive and fresh.

Side Dishes

Mashed sweet potatoes and a crisp green bean almondine have become my go-to sides. The creaminess and crunch perfectly complement the sweet, glazed ham every time.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served the ham on a large wooden board surrounded by pineapple rings and cherries for a rustic-chic vibe at family dinners. For holidays, elevating it with edible flowers and gold-toned toothpicks really wows the guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? No problem. I usually wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps really well for up to 4 days, and the flavors actually deepen as it sits.

Freezing

I’ve frozen sliced ham portions wrapped individually in foil and then sealed in freezer bags. Just defrost overnight in the fridge — it reheats beautifully without drying out.

Reheating

To keep the ham moist, I cover it loosely with foil and warm it in a 275°F oven for about 20 minutes per pound or until heated through. I like to brush on a bit of additional glaze before reheating for that fresh-baked taste.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a boneless ham for this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless hams can work, but cooking times will vary slightly—typically 10-15 minutes per pound. Just watch the internal temperature and glaze coverage.

What if I don’t have maraschino cherries?

No worries! The cherries are optional and mainly for color and a bit of sweet pop. You can simply omit them or substitute with pineapple chunks or even fresh cranberries for a festive touch.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Definitely. You can prepare the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Before using, warm it gently and stir to recombine the thickened ingredients. This can save time on busy cooking days.

How do I know when the ham is done baking?

Since you’re working with a pre-cooked ham, heating until it's warmed through is the goal. Follow the bake times based on ham size, and look for a glaze that’s caramelized and sticky. Use a meat thermometer to check for about 140°F internal temperature for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe has become one of my timeless go-tos for special occasions and family dinners alike. It’s approachable, delicious, and with just a few personal touches, it always impresses. Give it a whirl—your kitchen will fill with those heavenly aromas, and your guests will be asking for seconds before you know it.