Make this show-stopping pineapple-studded brown sugar baked ham for your next gathering!

I have to admit my brother, Aaron, is the ham maker in our family.

This ham is easy, loved by all, and requested every year for Christmas and Easter.

How to Bake a Ham - partially sliced ham covered in pineapple rings

Alison Bickle

Thats a winning recipe in my book!

Which Ham Is the Right Ham?

How Much Ham Do You Need?

How to Bake a Ham Bone-In - sliced ham on platter with small bowls of mustard

Alison Bickle

I prefer bone-in hams, as mentioned above.

Remember, a bone adds weight, but you cant eat it.

I like to estimate about 3/4 of a pound per person.

How to Cook a Ham - ham covered in brown sugar

Alison Bickle

The USDA recommends:

Why Cook Ham at All?

Ham is the cured leg of pork.

They can be fresh, cured, smoked, or cooked.

Baked Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar - woman slicing ham covered in pineapple rings

Alison Bickle

Hams that still need to be cooked will have safe handling instructions.

How Do You Slice Ham?

Slicing a bone-in, whole, or half ham can take a little practice.

Brown Sugar Ham with Pineapple - partially sliced ham covered in pineapple on platter.

Alison Bickle

Just remember, youre feeding people who are happy you are feeding them.

Ham slices need not be perfect.

I like to pour the juices from the roasting pan over the sliced ham before I freeze it.

Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar - hands rubbing brown sugar into ham

Alison Bickle

That way, as I thaw and reheat it, it doesnt dry out.

I rub it down the day before and let the flavors meld for 24 hours.

Once its roasted, you will have tender, sweet, salty, and succulent meat.

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham - scoring the fat of a ham with a knife

Alison Bickle

You wont need it.

Place 6 to 8 pineapple rings on the bottom of the roasting pan.

Remove the ham from its packaging and place the ham in the roasting pan.

How to Cook a Ham Bone-In - spooning pan juices over whole ham

Alison Bickle

Combine brown sugar and ground cloves together in a small bowl.

Massage the sugar mixture all over the ham, including the cut side.

Really rub the sugar into the meat.

Baked Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar - person securing pineapple rings to ham with toothpicks

Alison Bickle

It will turn into a paste as you rub it.

When finished, set the ham cut side down onto the pineapple rings.

Score the ham 1/4-inch deep in a diamond pattern.

How to Bake a Ham Bone-In – roasting dish covered with aluminum foil

Alison Bickle

If this is difficult to do in the roasting pan, then transfer the ham to a cutting board.

The next day, remove the ham from the refrigerator.

launch the foil and spoon pan juices over the ham.

Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar - ham slices being placed in cooking juices

Alison Bickle

Two toothpicks per slice is plenty.

ensure to seal the foil tightly around the edges of the roasting pan.

Bake at 325F for 15 to 18 minutes per pound of meat.

(Roughly 4 1/2 hours for a 15-pound ham.)

Let the ham rest, covered, for 15 minutes before slicing.

Transfer the ham to a cutting board.

Remove the pineapple slices, and save them to fry and put on leftover ham sandwiches.

Slice the ham to your desired thickness.

As you slice the ham, place the sliced pieces into the roaster with all of the juices.

When everything has been sliced, transfer the slices to a serving platter.

Serve alongside a selection of high-quality mustard and/or chutneys.