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Baked Ham with Pineapple and Cherries Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 33 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This classic baked ham recipe features a fully cooked bone-in ham glazed with a sweet pineapple and brown sugar mixture, enhanced with whole cloves and maraschino cherries for a festive presentation. Perfect for holiday gatherings or large family meals, this dish steals the show with its tender, juicy meat and caramelized fruit topping.


Ingredients

Scale

Ham and Seasoning

  • 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (6 to 8 pounds)
  • Whole cloves (enough to stud the ham’s surface)

Glaze and Topping

  • 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 12 maraschino cherries

Instructions

  1. Prep the ham: Score the surface of the ham by making shallow, diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern through the fat layer only—avoid cutting into the meat to keep it juicy. Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond shape.
  2. Preheat and bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and place the ham in a large roasting pan. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare the glaze: Drain the canned pineapple slices, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with the reserved pineapple juice to create the glaze.
  4. Glaze and top the ham: Remove the ham from the oven and pour the glaze over it, allowing it to seep into the scored cuts. Arrange the pineapple slices over the ham and secure a maraschino cherry in the center of each slice. If needed, use toothpicks to hold the fruit in place, but remember to remove them before serving.
  5. Finish baking: Return the ham to the oven uncovered and continue baking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 140°F (60°C), about 30 to 45 minutes. Optionally, baste the ham with glaze from the pan once or twice during this final baking stage to enhance caramelization and flavor.

Notes

  • Score only through the fat layer to avoid drying out the meat.
  • Use toothpicks to secure fruit if it doesn’t stay in place, removing them before slicing.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to accurately check ham temperature.
  • Basting with glaze during the final bake adds extra flavor and helps caramelize the ham.
  • Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes after baking before slicing to retain juices.