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Meta Description: Master Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple! Our easy baked ham recipe uses a simple, sweet, and tangy glaze for a juicy holiday centerpiece. Learn how to score a ham for perfect flavor infusion!

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🍍 Ultimate Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple: The Sweet & Savory Centerpiece

The aroma of a baked ham, savory and smoky with notes of caramelized sugar and warm spice, is, for me, the definition of a holiday gathering. But let’s be honest, the classic Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple is a timeless masterpiece for a reason! It combines that deep, smoky saltiness of cured pork with a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes into a beautiful crust during the final moments of baking.

I used to dread making ham, thinking it was complicated, but I soon realized the ham does most of the work itself. The real magic lies in the simple, three-ingredient glaze and the ritual of studding the ham with cloves. That subtle clove spice permeates the ham and the glaze, creating a warmth that is simply irresistible.

This article is your guide to creating the best Maple-Glazed Ham recipe you’ve ever tasted. We’ll show you the crucial first step of choosing and preparing your ham, the simple technique for scoring, and the secret to getting a glossy, sticky glaze that perfectly adheres to the meat. You’ll learn exactly how to score a ham for maximum flavor infusion and achieve a perfectly juicy result. Get ready to bake a stunning, stress-free centerpiece!

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The Foundation of Flavor: Choosing and Prepping the Ham

A ham is essentially ready-to-eat pork, meaning the cooking process is really about heating it through and adding flavor via the glaze.

The Ham: Cooked is Key

When purchasing a ham, you are looking for a fully cooked ham. This is important! The cooking time you see in recipes is almost entirely about reheating the ham to a safe serving temperature ($145^{\circ}\text{F}$ or $63^{\circ}\text{C}$), not cooking it from raw.

• Spiral-Cut (Recommended): These hams are pre-sliced and are the easiest option.¹ The glaze can seep right between the slices, delivering flavor deep into the meat.
• Bone-In: Bone-in hams tend to be more flavorful and stay moister than boneless hams. Plus, the bone is essential for making ham stock later!

How to Score a Ham for Infusion

The secret to a beautiful presentation and even flavor distribution is knowing how to score a ham. Scoring means cutting shallow diamond patterns into the fat cap.

• The Purpose: The diamond pattern allows the glaze to penetrate the fat and reach the meat.² It also helps the fat render out, preventing a greasy final product.
• The Cloves: Studding the ham with whole cloves at the intersection of the scored lines is traditional.³ The cloves infuse the surface with a warm, spiced aroma that pairs perfectly with the maple and pineapple.

The Glaze: Sweet, Acidic, and Sticky

The best glaze for a smoky, salty ham is one that provides sweetness, acidity, and a little tang. Our easy baked ham recipe features a simple glaze with maple syrup, pineapple, and Dijon mustard. The mustard’s sharpness cuts the richness of the pork, while the pineapple adds a necessary acidic brightness and a tropical caramelization when baked.

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⏰ Prep Time & Cook Time Summary

Task	Time
Prep Time	20 Minutes
Cook Time (Reheating)	1 Hour 30 Minutes – 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Glazing Time	30 Minutes
Total Time	Approx. 3 Hours
Serves	10–12 (based on 8 lb ham)

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✅ Ingredients for Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple

🍖 The Ham and Studding

• 1 (7–8 lb) fully cooked, bone-in spiral-cut ham (or half ham)
• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple rings (or fresh rings), drained, reserve juice⁴
• 1 jar maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)⁵
• $1/2$ cup whole cloves (for studding)

🍯 The Best Maple-Glazed Ham Recipe

• 1 cup pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark or Amber)
• $1/2$ cup reserved pineapple juice
• $1/4$ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

🥣 Basting Liquid

• $1/2$ cup dry white wine or water

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps for a juicy ham with a beautifully caramelized glaze and perfect presentation.

Part 1: Scoring and Initial Bake

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).⁶ Place the fully cooked ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan.
2. Score the Fat: If using a non-spiral-cut ham, use a sharp knife to score the fat cap on the ham in a diamond pattern, cutting about ⁷$1/4$ inch deep.⁸
3. Stud with Cloves: Push one whole clove into the center of each diamond intersection. This is the how to score a ham secret for flavor and looks.
4. Initial Reheating: Pour the white wine (or water) into the bottom of the roasting pan. Cover the entire ham and roasting pan tightly with heavy-duty foil. This traps steam and ensures a juicy baked ham recipe result. Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes per pound (about 1.5–2 hours for an 8 lb ham), until the internal temperature reaches $130^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($54^{\circ}\text{C}$).

Part 2: Glazing and Finishing

5. Make the Glaze: While the ham bakes, whisk together the pure maple syrup, reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
6. Apply Pineapple and Cloves: Remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Remove and discard the foil. Pat the surface dry with paper towels. Arrange the pineapple rings and cherries on the ham’s surface, securing them with toothpicks if needed.
7. First Glaze: Brush the ham liberally with about one-third of the glaze. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered.
8. Caramelize: Bake for 15 minutes. Brush the ham with another third of the glaze. Bake for another 15 minutes. The glaze should be bubbling and starting to caramelize into a sticky, glossy crust.
9. Final Check: The ham is done when the internal temperature, checked with a thermometer away from the bone, reaches $140^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($60^{\circ}\text{C}$) (it will reach the safe $145^{\circ}\text{F}$ during the rest).
10. Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. The resting time allows the glaze to set perfectly and the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy baked ham recipe result. Remove the cloves and toothpicks before carving.

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🌟 Pro Tips and Common Questions

Achieving a sticky, caramelized glaze without burning the ham requires attention to timing and temperature.⁹

How to Get a Sticky, Non-Burning Glaze

The high sugar content in the Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple glaze means it can burn easily if applied too early.

1. Timing is Key: Only apply the glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking, and increase the temperature to $400^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($200^{\circ}\text{C}$). The high heat rapidly caramelizes the sugar.
2. Baste Often: Basting every 15 minutes ensures the glaze builds up into a thick, sticky crust.¹⁰
3. Use a Thermometer: Make sure the ham is almost fully reheated ($130^{\circ}\text{F}$ or $54^{\circ}\text{C}$) before you start glazing.

Can I Use Honey Instead of Maple Syrup?

Yes! You can easily adapt this to a Honey-Glazed Ham recipe.

• Substitution: Replace the maple syrup with an equal amount of honey.¹¹
• Adjustments: Since honey is sometimes thicker and sweeter, you may want to increase the Dijon mustard to 3 Tbsp for a bit more tang. Honey tends to caramelize even faster than maple syrup, so watch closely during the $400^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($200^{\circ}\text{C}$) glaze phase.

Why is the Foil Important for the Initial Bake?

Wrapping the ham tightly in foil creates a miniature steaming environment. The moisture from the wine/water in the bottom of the pan and the ham itself helps generate steam. This process of reheating in a moist environment is crucial for preventing the ham from drying out during the long reheating process, guaranteeing a juicy baked ham recipe foundation before the glazing begins.¹²

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✨ Serving, Variations, and Storage

Ham is the gift that keeps on giving, both on the table and in the form of leftovers!

The Best Pairings: Sides for Glazed Ham

The sweet and savory ham pairs best with sides that are creamy, starchy, or slightly tart.

• Potatoes: Scalloped Potatoes (Potatoes au Gratin) or a simple Mashed Sweet Potatoes offer creaminess and complement the sweet glaze.
• Vegetables: Simple steamed or roasted Asparagus or Green Beans Almondine provide a fresh, green contrast.
• Rolls: Soft Dinner Rolls are essential for making small ham sandwiches.
• Wine Pairing: The sweet and salty nature calls for a wine with a touch of sweetness, like a German Riesling (off-dry or semi-dry) or a light, fruity Beaujolais.

Creative Glaze Variations

Once you have mastered the how to score a ham technique, you can change up the flavors.

• Orange-Bourbon Glaze: Replace the pineapple juice with fresh orange juice. Add $1/4$ cup of good quality bourbon and $1$ tsp of finely grated orange zest to the glaze mixture.
• Spicy Brown Sugar Glaze: Replace the maple syrup with molasses. Add 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce and $1/2$ tsp of cayenne pepper for a darker, spicier glaze with deeper flavor.
• Cherry Glaze: Use tart cherry juice instead of pineapple juice, and add a touch of cinnamon.

Storage and Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover ham, wrapped tightly or in an airtight container, for up to 5 days. The flavor is perfect for cold cuts.
• Freezing: Cooked ham freezes exceptionally well. Cut the ham into usable chunks, wrap tightly in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers Magic: Use the ham bone to make stock for split pea soup. Use the leftover sliced ham for sandwiches, breakfast scrambles, or classic Cuban sandwiches.

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Nutritional Information (Estimated Per Serving)

This information is an estimate based on the ingredients and a serving size of 10.

Component	Amount
Calories	380 kcal
Protein	35g
Fat	18g
Carbohydrates	20g
Sodium	800mg
Iron	2mg

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A Final Invitation to the Table

You’ve successfully mastered the art of the perfect Maple-Glazed Ham with Pineapple! You now know the secrets to a juicy baked ham recipe—from the steaming foil wrap to the proper technique for getting that sticky, caramelized glaze. You also mastered how to score a ham for a beautiful, flavor-infused presentation. This best Maple-Glazed Ham recipe is not just for holidays; it’s a centerpiece of comfort and flavor for any large gathering.

This meal proves that the most impressive dishes are often the most straightforward, relying on simple, classic flavors and a patient technique. The rich smoke, the sweet maple, and the tangy pineapple are a combination that is simply unbeatable.

I encourage you to try this ultimate easy baked ham recipe soon. Slice into that beautifully glazed crust and enjoy the cheers from your table! What kind of ham sandwich will you make with the leftovers? Let me know! Happy cooking!