Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham with Pineapple & Cloves

This Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham with Pineapple & Cloves is a holiday classic that combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors in every slice. The juicy ham is baked to perfection with a sticky honey glaze, infused with aromatic cloves and caramelized pineapple for a stunning, crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 🍯

🍍 Perfectly Balanced Flavor: Sweet honey and tangy pineapple make every bite irresistible.
🧄 Aromatic & Festive: Cloves and brown sugar give the ham a warm, spiced aroma.
🍖 Simple to Prepare: Spiral-cut ham makes serving effortless.
✨ Show-Stopping Centerpiece: Gorgeous golden glaze for holidays or special dinners.
🔥 Leftover Friendly: Tastes even better the next day in sandwiches or omelets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Ham:

• 1 spiral-cut smoked ham (about 8–10 lbs)
• Whole cloves for studding

For the Honey-Pineapple Glaze:

• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Garnish:

• Pineapple rings
• Maraschino cherries (optional)
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Preheat & Prepare

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan lined with foil. If desired, stud the ham with whole cloves, spacing them evenly across the surface.

Step 2 – Make the Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, butter, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer over medium heat until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 3 – Glaze & Roast

Brush the ham generously with glaze, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil, brush again with glaze, and continue roasting uncovered for another 30–45 minutes, basting every 15 minutes until glossy and caramelized.

Step 4 – Garnish & Serve

Arrange pineapple rings and cherries over the ham, securing with toothpicks if needed. Brush with one final coat of glaze before serving warm.

Expert Tips 💡

🍍 Use real pineapple juice for a brighter, fresher flavor.
🍯 Don’t overheat the glaze — just simmer until smooth and syrupy.
🔥 Let the ham rest 10–15 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
🥄 Reserve extra glaze for drizzling at the table.
🍖 Save the bone for making a hearty ham soup later!

What to Serve With

• Scalloped potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes
• Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans
• Cranberry relish or apple chutney
• Homemade dinner rolls

FAQs

❓ Can I use boneless ham?
Yes! Boneless works just as well — just reduce roasting time slightly to avoid drying out.

❓ How do I keep my ham moist?
Cover the ham with foil for most of the baking time and baste regularly with the glaze.

❓ Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Bake and glaze the ham, let it cool, and reheat with extra glaze before serving.

Conclusion

This Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham with Pineapple & Cloves is a timeless holiday favorite — beautifully sweet, sticky, and aromatic. Perfect for Christmas, Easter, or Sunday dinner, it’s a dish that brings everyone back for seconds. 🍍🍯✨