Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake

• Yields: 12-15 servings

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours

• Total Time: Approx. 2 hours (plus resting time)

• Cooking Intensity: Easy

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Ingredients

For the Ham & Glaze:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked, bone-in spiral-sliced ham

• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple rings in 100% juice (reserve the juice)

• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For Garnish (Optional):

• Maraschino cherries

• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Equipment

• Large roasting pan with rack

• Sharp knife and carving fork

• Small to medium saucepan

• Whisk

• Basting brush

• Aluminum foil

• Meat thermometer

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham and Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the ham from its packaging and place it, flat-side down, on the rack in your roasting pan. If your ham has a plastic cap or any outer packaging, be sure to discard it. Pat the ham dry with paper towels.

Pro-Tip: Using the rack in the roasting pan is crucial as it allows heat to circulate evenly around the ham, ensuring it heats through without the bottom becoming soggy.

Step 2: Create the Glaze

In your saucepan, combine the packed dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of the reserved pineapple juice, melted butter, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves. Whisk the mixture over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes until the brown sugar has completely dissolved and the ingredients are smoothly combined. The glaze should be thick, pourable, and fragrant. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Assemble and Initial Bake

Using a basting brush or a spoon, generously brush about one-third of the warm glaze all over the surface of the ham, making sure to get it in between the spiral slices. Pour about 1-2 cups of water into the bottom of the roasting pan (not over the ham). This creates steam and prevents the drippings from burning.

Tent the entire roasting pan loosely with aluminum foil, sealing it around the edges. Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes (approximately 15 minutes per pound). This gentle heating rewarms the ham without drying it out.

Step 4: Add Pineapple and Final Glaze

Carefully remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Remove the foil tent.

Arrange the pineapple rings all over the top and sides of the ham, securing them with toothpicks if desired. For a classic look, place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.

Brush the entire ham with another third of the glaze, coating the pineapple rings as well. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, for another 15-25 minutes.

Step 5: Caramelize and Rest

This is the final step for that perfect, restaurant-quality finish. Remove the ham and brush it one final time with the remaining glaze. For extra caramelization, you can turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes, watching very closely to prevent burning.

The ham is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the meaty part (avoiding the bone). The exterior should be a deep, glossy, caramelized brown.

Once out of the oven, let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much more succulent and flavorful ham.

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Serving and Storage

Serving: Carve the ham using the pre-sliced guides. Serve the pineapple rings and any delicious pan juices alongside the slices. This ham pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, scalloped potatoes, or a fresh spring salad.

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. The bone can be saved to make a fantastic soup or broth.

• Freezer: Diced or sliced ham freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers.

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Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 4 oz of meat without skin/fat)

• Calories: 320

• Total Fat: 12g

• Saturated Fat: 4.5g

• Cholesterol: 85mg

• Sodium: 1500mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 18g

• Dietary Fiber: 0g

• Sugars: 17g

• Protein: 32g

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on the ingredients used and can vary significantly depending on the specific brand of ham and ingredients you select. The sodium content is inherently high in cured ham.