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 ham, bone-in and spiral cut; 20 oz canned pineapple slices, retain the pineapple juice; Maraschino cherries, optional; Toothpicks; Foil; 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

There’s something truly magical about the sweet, sticky caramelization of a honey and pineapple glaze on a ham that just hits all the right notes at any gathering. This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe is one of those classic dishes that fills the kitchen with incredible aromas and instantly makes the meal feel special.

A baked ham covered with a shiny brown glaze, topped with multiple yellow pineapple rings arranged in layers on the top and sides, each pineapple ring held in place with a wooden toothpick skewering a bright red cherry in the center. The ham rests on a base covered in silver foil with a white marbled surface in the background. The glaze gives the ham a glossy, sticky texture, enhancing the vibrant colors of the pineapples and cherries. 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

I’ve made this baked ham more times than I can count for holidays and family dinners, and it never disappoints. The pineapple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and spice, transforming a simple ham into an irresistible centerpiece.

Simplicity Meets Flavor: The glaze uses pantry staples like brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice for a perfectly balanced taste without fuss.
Moisture Locked In: Using foil to tent the ham helps keep it juicy while the glaze caramelizes beautifully.
Showstopper Presentation: Pineapple slices and maraschino cherries secured with toothpicks add a festive, vintage charm that's always a crowd-pleaser.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a Sunday dinner or Christmas feast, this recipe fits right in and elevates the table.

The image shows a close-up of a sliced glazed ham on a white plate. The ham is cut into many thin layers, each with a shiny, caramelized brown glaze and a mix of darker and lighter pink meat inside. The outer edges have a slightly crispy texture with hints of char. The plate beneath has some yellowish bits, possibly small pieces of cooked fruit or sauce, adding a contrast in color. The background has a white marbled texture, and to the side, part of a woman's hand holding a utensil is visible near the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this baked ham with pineapple glaze recipe plays a vital role to create that perfect sweet and spiced glaze. Picking high-quality components really boosts the final flavor, so I always recommend choosing fresh and pure versions when possible.

Flat lay of a large raw bone-in spiral-sliced ham with a light pink color and visible scoring, a small stack of fresh golden pineapple slices arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with golden honey, another small white bowl containing dark brown sugar crystals, a third small white bowl holding warm cinnamon powder, a tiny white bowl with whole brown cloves, a small white bowl with white cornstarch powder, and a separate small white bowl of clear water, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed 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: The sweetness and acidity brighten up the ham, and the juice is pure gold for glaze flavor.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the glaze stick with a subtle floral note.
Brown sugar (light or dark): Provides richness and caramel depth; dark sugar adds a little molasses flavor.
Ground cloves: Brings warm spice that pairs incredibly well with ham and pineapple.
Cinnamon: Adds a cozy, aromatic touch that rounds out the spices in the glaze.
Cornstarch: Thickens the glaze gently without clumping, helping it cling to the ham’s surface.
Water: Used to make the cornstarch slurry for smooth thickening.
Fully cooked ham (bone-in, spiral cut preferred): Bone-in holds flavor and moisture best, spiral cut makes serving a breeze.
Maraschino cherries (optional): Classic garnish that adds a pop of color and vintage charm.
Toothpicks and foil: Essential tools to secure the garnishes and tent the ham for even 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

I love customizing this baked ham with pineapple glaze recipe depending on the season or occasion. You can easily adjust spices or swap out garnishes to suit what you have on hand or your flavor preferences.

Variation: One time, I added a splash of bourbon to the glaze for a smoky-sweet twist that really wowed my guests.
Dietary modification: To cut back on sugar, try using pure maple syrup instead of honey and brown sugar – it’s delicious and naturally sweet.
Seasonal tweak: In winter, I sprinkle orange zest over the glaze for a bright, fresh flavor lift.
Gluten-free option: Cornstarch keeps this glaze naturally gluten-free, so no worries there.

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

Step 1: Let the Ham Come to Room Temperature

This step is key—take your ham out of the fridge about an hour before baking. Bringing it to room temp helps it cook evenly and prevents the meat from drying out. I’ve noticed a huge difference when I skip this step and go straight from fridge to oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Pineapple Glaze

On medium-high heat, combine brown sugar or sweetener, honey, all the pineapple juice, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Stir frequently for 3-4 minutes until the sugar melts into a syrup. Then, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and slowly whisk it into the glaze—this thickens it just right without lumps.

Step 3: Glaze and Secure the Ham

Place your ham on a foil-lined sheet pan or roasting pan. Drizzle the glaze generously over the ham, brushing it into scored cuts if your ham isn’t already spiral sliced. Then arrange pineapple slices and maraschino cherries on top, securing them with toothpicks. Wrap loosely with foil to insulate, but don’t seal tight or the glaze will stick—trust me, I’ve learned the hard way!

Step 4: Bake and Baste for Perfect Caramelization

Bake the ham at 325°F for about 1½ hours. After that, remove the foil tent and baste it generously with the glaze again. Pop it back into the oven uncovered for another 30 minutes to let that beautiful caramel finish develop. Exact baking times depend on your ham’s size—refer to my notes below to nail it every time.

Step 5: Rest Before Carving

Don’t rush this part—letting the ham rest for at least 20 minutes after baking lets the juices redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy slices that hold together beautifully.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve picked up several tricks to ensure this baked ham with pineapple glaze recipe turns out perfectly every time. These tips saved me from common pitfalls and made the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Room Temperature Is a Game-Changer: Taking the ham out early lets it heat evenly—avoid dry edges or uneven cooking.
Slow Thickening: Adding the cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring avoids clumpy glaze—a smoother final coating makes all the difference.
Foil Tent, Not Wrap: Wrapping loosely keeps the glaze intact while insulating. Tight wrapping will stick and tear the glaze when removed.
Use a Cooking Brush: To get the glaze deep into the ham’s cuts, brush it on instead of just drizzling—that way every bite’s covered.

How to Serve Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

baked ham with pineapple glaze - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick with the classic pineapple slices and maraschino cherries because they bring that nostalgic holiday feel and balance nicely against the ham’s rich flavor. Plus, toothpicks make the garnishes easy to remove or eat if you like.

Side Dishes

Some of my go-to sides include creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans with almonds, and a fresh garden salad. I find these add just the right mix of textures and flavors to round out the sweetness and spice of the ham.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the ham on a large wooden board garnished with extra pineapple chunks, fresh rosemary sprigs, and orange slices for a pop of color. It turns the ham into an elegant centerpiece that guests admire before digging in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover ham tightly wrapped in foil or airtight containers in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 5 days, and the glaze helps maintain moisture so the slices don’t dry out.

Freezing

Leftover ham freezes beautifully. I slice it and pack portions in freezer bags, squeezing out the air. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is covered in foil in the oven at 275°F slowly, then brush on some additional glaze to freshen it up. This keeps the ham moist and prevents overcooking your leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

You absolutely can! Just make sure to reduce the glaze liquid slightly since fresh pineapple releases more juice. The flavor will be even fresher and a bit tangier, which I love for a summer twist.

Do I need to score the ham before glazing?

If you’re using a spiral-sliced ham, you can skip scoring because the glaze will soak into the slices nicely. For whole hams, scoring helps the glaze penetrate the surface and develop more caramelization.

What if I don’t have brown sugar?

You can substitute light or dark brown sugar with white granulated sugar mixed with a little molasses if you have it on hand. Honey alone also works, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich or caramel-like.

Can I make this recipe ahead for a party?

Definitely! You can prepare the glaze and score or poke the ham a day ahead. When it’s party time, warm the ham to room temp, apply the glaze, and bake as directed. This makes the day-of process much easier and stress-free.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe has become my go-to dish for making any meal feel like a celebration. It’s straightforward, crowd-pleasing, and has just enough personality to impress without stress. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear how it becomes a favorite in your kitchen, just like it did in mine.