The Best Ham with Pineapple & Brown Sugar Recipe. Glaze made with brown sugar, mustard, pineapple juice and more!
This holiday ham is a showstopper, glazed with sweet brown sugar and from the added sugars from the fruit. This ham is as good to eat as it is to look at.
**Ham with Pineapple & Brown Sugar: A Culinary Delight**
Ham with pineapple and brown sugar is a classic dish that combines the savory, smoky flavor of ham with the sweet, tropical notes of pineapple and the rich, caramel-like depth of brown sugar. This delightful combination of flavors offers a perfect balance that can elevate any meal, be it a festive gathering or a simple family dinner.
**Ingredients and Preparation:**
At the heart of this dish is the ham, generally a pre-cooked or smoked variety, which can be bone-in or boneless depending on personal preference. The choice of ham is crucial, as a good-quality ham will provide a robust foundation for the dish’s overall flavor profile. A common choice is a spiral-cut ham, which allows for even distribution of glaze and facilitates easier serving.
The sweet element comes from ripe, juicy pineapples, either fresh or canned. Fresh pineapple adds a vibrant, zesty punch, while canned pineapple can contribute convenience and tenderness to the dish. The pineapples are typically sliced into rings or chunks, which are then arranged artfully over or around the ham during the cooking process. This not only provides beautiful presentation but also infuses the ham with delightful sweetness and moisture as it cooks.
Brown sugar acts as the magical ingredient in this recipe. Its molasses-rich flavor complements the ham’s savory notes while also caramelizing beautifully during the cooking process. When combined with juices from the pineapple, it creates a luscious glaze that seeps into the ham, enhancing its complexity and depth.
**Glaze and Cooking Process:**
The glaze is usually a simple mixture of brown sugar, pineapple juice (collected from the slices, if using canned pineapple), and additional ingredients such as honey, Dijon mustard, or cloves for added flavor. The simplicity of the glaze allows the natural flavors of the ham and pineapple to shine through, while still providing that sweet, sticky coating that makes each slice irresistible.
To prepare, the ham is often pre-baked in the oven, typically at a low to moderate temperature, which allows the flavors to meld without drying out the meat. Often, halfway through the baking, the glaze is brushed generously over the ham, with the pineapple slices nestled on top and around the meat. This cooking process allows the ham to absorb the flavors of the glaze while the pineapple caramelizes, creating a beautiful crust on the outside that contrasts with the tender,
Ingredients
- 8-10 lb smoked ham fully cooked
- 20 oz can of pineapple rings in pineapple juice( juice reserved)
- 6 oz jar of maraschino cherries juice reserved
- 1/3 cup pure honey
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar dark or light
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
* Toothpicks
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Make sure that the ham is completely thawed.
Decorate the ham with pineapples & cherries, using the toothpicks to hold everything in place.
In a large measuring cup, or medium sized bowl, combine the pineapple juice, cherry juice, brown sugar, mustard, honey, ginger, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Stir everything, then sprinkle in the cornstarch.
Whisk everything until lump free, then transfer the sauce/ glaze into a saucepan.
Bring the sauce to a boil over medium high heat, and whisk.
Let boil for about 3-5 minutes, then turn the heat off.
Pour the glaze all over the ham.
Bake the ham, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Remove the ham from the oven, and baste.
Place back in the oven for 20-30 minutes (still uncovered).
Remove from the oven, let sit for about 15 minutes.
Serve & enjoy!