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Christmas ham on a serving tray.
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Christmas Ham Recipe

This Christmas Ham recipe is the secret to a perfectly glazed, juicy centerpiece that will make your holiday feast unforgettable.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 45 minutes
Rest Time10 minutes
Total Time3 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple slices in juice, divided
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cloves
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
  • 1 (12-pound) fully-cooked, bone-in spiral ham
  • 1 box round wooden toothpicks

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large baking dish with foil that hangs off the edges about 10 inches on two sides.
  • Drain juice from pineapple rings can (a little less than 1 cup of juice), and add to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, along with honey, brown sugar and cloves. Bring to a boil.
  • While mixture is heating up, make your cornstarch slurry, by mixing together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until there are no more chunks. Once mixture is boiling, add to the pineapple mixture and cook for a few minutes until thickened to the consistency of a syrup. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Place ham in the prepared foil-lined baking dish. Baste the ham on all sides (even going in between slices, if possible) with the syrup. Then, add pineapple slices on top of the ham using toothpicks. Place cherries into the centers of each ring and secure with toothpicks. Re-baste the top of the ham where the pineapple rings are with the syrup mixture. There should be a little syrup left over - do not discard, but set aside.
  • Wrap the foil in the pan up over the top of the ham and pinch together at the top and push up on the sides. Foil should be around the ham but not pressed up against it.
  • Bake for 2 hours and 45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 140 degrees.
  • Re-baste with the last of the syrup right after removing from the oven, and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting off spiral slices and serving.

Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • Don’t skip the foil tent. It keeps the ham moist while baking.
  • Be sure to buy a fully cooked bone-in spiral cut ham and not a compressed dinner ham. If the ham is frozen, allow 4 to 6 hours per pound to thaw in the fridge.
  • Baste generously. Make sure to get syrup in between the spiral slices so every bite is flavorful.
  • Use leftover ham to make anything from quiche to soup to sliders.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in a resealable plastic bag or foil and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for 1-2 months.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.01g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 0.03mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg