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Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham with Cinnamon Bourbon Glaze

Brown sugar pineapple ham is roasted with pineapple rings and finished with a cinnamon bourbon glaze. The glaze simmers until smooth and slightly thickened, then bakes onto the ham until glossy.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 14 minutes
Resting 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 49 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the ham
  • 8 lb ham fully cooked, bone-in
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings in juice, drained, reserving 0.33 cup juice
For the glaze
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 0.33 cup bourbon
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon

Equipment

  • 1 12x16-inch roasting pan

Method
 

Prepare and roast the ham
  1. Heat the oven to 325°F.
  2. Set a rack in a 12x16-inch roasting pan.
  3. Place the ham cut side down on the rack and score the fat in a 1-inch diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep.
  4. Pour the water into the pan, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the center reaches 120°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Make the glaze
  1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the brown sugar, reserved pineapple juice, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon, then bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until smooth and slightly thickened.
Glaze and finish
  1. Remove the foil and arrange the pineapple rings over the ham, securing them with toothpicks if needed.
  2. Brush the ham and pineapple rings with about half the glaze.
  3. Return the ham to the oven uncovered and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze twice, until glossy and heated to 140°F in the center.
  4. Rest the ham for 15 minutes before carving.

Notes

For the best texture, use an instant-read thermometer and avoid cooking the ham beyond 140°F in the center. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze them; for an alcohol-free swap, replace the bourbon with apple juice.