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 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 bone-in spiral cut ham; maraschino cherries (optional); toothpicks; foil

There’s something about the sweet, sticky surface of a perfectly baked ham that just pulls everyone in. The Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe I’m sharing has become a favorite not only for its lovely balance of flavors but also its simple steps to nail that glossy, caramelized finish that you’ll want to dive into right away.

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

This recipe hits all the right notes for a holiday centerpiece or a comforting weekend dinner. What I love most is how the pineapple glaze elevates the ham with a fruity brightness and rich caramelization—something that feels fancy but works for everyday meals too.

Sweet and tangy glaze: The pineapple juice combined with brown sugar and honey creates a luscious, mouthwatering coating.
Easy to make ahead: You can prepare the glaze ahead of time and just baste while it bakes, saving you stress on busy days.
Feeds a crowd: This recipe is perfect for large gatherings, making it easy to serve 20 people with minimal fuss.
Customizable touches: You can add maraschino cherries or cloves for a festive look and extra flavor.

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

The ingredients in this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe balance sweet, warm spices with that tropical buzz of pineapple—each playing a vital role in making the flavors sing together beautifully.

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

Pineapple slices and juice: The star of the glaze, pineapple brings sweetness and acidity that tenderizes the ham’s surface and cuts through its saltiness.
Honey: Adds depth and natural sweetness, helping the glaze caramelize without burning easily.
Brown sugar (light or dark): Gives that rich molasses flavor and sticky texture essential for a shiny glaze.
Ground cloves & cinnamon: Warm spices that add subtle complexity and holiday vibes without overpowering the pineapple’s brightness.
Cornstarch: Thicken the glaze gently for excellent cling to the ham’s surface without any graininess.
Fully cooked, bone-in, spiral cut ham: This cut is ideal because it bakes evenly and the spiral slices soak up the glaze beautifully.
Maraschino cherries (optional): These add a pop of color and a fun little surprise of flavor, perfect for festive occasions.
Toothpicks and foil: For securing pineapple and cherries and tenting the ham during baking to maintain moisture.

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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 best things about this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste or occasion. I often swap out spices or skip the cherries, depending on the vibe I’m going for. You do you!

Variation: I’ve had great success adding a splash of pineapple juice to the roasting pan for extra moisture and flavor during baking – it keeps the ham super juicy.
Dietary tweaks: For a less sweet glaze, reduce honey or brown sugar slightly. Or, if you want to add some heat, a pinch of cayenne pairs surprisingly well with the sweetness.
Seasonal spins: Swap ground cloves and cinnamon for ginger and nutmeg to change the flavor profile for a fall twist.
Difficulty levels: If you're short on time, you can skip scoring the ham and just brush the glaze on top – still delicious!

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

Step 1: Let it Sit and Prep the Oven

First things first, I always let my ham come to room temperature before baking. It usually takes about an hour. This little step helps it cook more evenly without shocking it from fridge-cold to hot. Meanwhile, I preheat the oven to 325°F, which is the perfect temperature for slowly warming the ham and caramelizing the glaze.

Step 2: Make That Pineapple Glaze Magic

While the oven heats, it’s glaze time! On medium-high heat, I combine the pineapple juice (save those slices for later), brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Stir this for about 3-4 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles slightly. Then, I stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl and slowly pour it into the sauce, whisking all along until the glaze thickens and gets glossy.

Step 3: Glaze and Secure

I place the ham on a foil-lined roasting pan and brush it generously with the pineapple glaze. If you have those nice spiral cuts, make sure to get the glaze brushed inside those crevices — every bit of flavor counts! Then, I arrange the pineapple slices on top, securing each one with a toothpick, and add maraschino cherries in between for that classic presentation.

Step 4: Cover, Bake, and Baste

Next, tent the ham loosely with foil. I avoid wrapping it too tightly because the glaze can stick and pull away when you unwrap. Bake covered for about 1½ hours, then remove the foil and baste with more glaze. Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to get that beautiful, caramelized finish.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

The ham comes out golden and fragrant. I always let it rest at least 20 minutes before slicing so those juices redistribute. This results in juicy, flavorful meat that’s every bit as delicious as it looks.

Top Tip

From my many attempts with this Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that turn good into great every time.

Room Temperature is Key: Letting the ham warm up before baking prevents uneven heating and dry spots.
Glaze Thickness: Use cornstarch to thicken gently; flour tends to clump and gives a less smooth finish.
Don’t Skip the Baste: Reapplying the glaze halfway through baking locks in moisture and adds multiple layers of flavor.
Foil Tent Technique: Tent loosely to trap steam but avoid sticking the glaze to foil, preserving that beautiful coating.

How to Serve Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

baked ham with pineapple - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally never skip the maraschino cherries and pineapple rings on top—they’re not just pretty, but they add sweet pops that everyone loves. Fresh rosemary sprigs around the plate give a lovely herbal aroma that brightens the whole presentation.

Side Dishes

For sides, I like super creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a touch of balsamic glaze, and a green bean almondine. The starch and veggies balance the sweetness of the ham and make for a well-rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a holiday brunch, I sliced the glazed ham thin and arranged it on a large platter interspersed with pineapple chunks and fresh mint leaves—everyone thought it was fancy but it seriously required zero extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover ham stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually slice it thin to make sandwiches and quick stir-fries or breakfast scrambles.

Freezing

Freeze leftover ham slices in freezer bags, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking. They keep well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

I like to reheat slices gently in a covered dish with a splash of water or broth, either in the oven or microwave, to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. You can brush on a little leftover glaze if you saved some.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Fresh pineapple can work, but canned pineapple juice is key for the glaze’s flavor and caramelization. If using fresh, keep the juice and adjust sweetness to taste.

Do I need to score the ham before glazing?

If you’re using a spiral cut ham, scoring is usually unnecessary as the slices already provide great surface area for the glaze to soak in. For uncut hams, light scoring helps the glaze penetrate.

How long should I bake the ham?

Bake time depends on the weight and whether it’s pre-cooked. For pre-cooked spiral hams, plan about 10 minutes per pound at 325°F. Always tent with foil to keep it moist during baking.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! The glaze can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Warm it slightly and stir before brushing on the ham for the best effect.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it’s so reliably delicious and forgiving. The sweet, spicy, tangy glaze turns a simple ham into a showstopper without any fuss. I’m confident you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe whenever a special meal calls for something memorable and full of heart.