Best Brown Sugar Baked Easter Ham Recipe

Encrusted with spiced brown sugar, pineapple rings and maraschino cherries baked with ginger ale glaze, a beautiful center piece to any holiday table. Beautiful, delicious and with a few simple ingredients your home will have all the holiday smells, and your people will be lining up to the table on Easter Sunday!

Why I love this ham recipe

1. This recipe is basically fool proof, it gets perfect results every time if you follow the directions below. I promise you your golden doodle could make it if given the chance.
2. he leftover ham is delicious and makes great ham sandwiches
3. it makes a great second protein, if you are serving turkey, lamb, or prime rib this ham pairs perfectly with just about any menu, and it also works great for brunch

Gather these ingredients

How to make Easter Ham recipe

1. Remove ham from wrapping it came in and discard it and the glaze packet that may come with it, making sure to check ham for any plastic pieces that may be stuck in or on ham, pat dry with paper towel
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

3. in a small bowl combine brown sugar, ground clove, and mustard powder when you are sure the seasonings are fully distributed throughout sugar, add 2 tablespoons of juice from the canned pineapple, mix to create a crumbly paste

4. place ham in a large shallow roasting pan, on the flattest side possible, this will depend on what type of ham you are using

5. take brown sugar mixture, and press into the surface of the ham with your hands covering the entire exposed parts of ham creating a brown sugar crust.

6. remove pineapple rings from the can, reserve juices, pat pineapple rings dry with a paper towel and place on the outside of the ham securing it by placing a maraschino cherry and a toothpick in the middle, continue this until all pineapple slices are used

7. pour two cups of liquid (ginger ale and pineapple juice if your can of ginger ale doesn’t measure up to 2 cups add enough pineapple juice to get it there) into bottom of roasting pan, do not pour over the ham

8. cover entire ham with aluminum foil and secure tightly around the edges, ensuring that all the flavor and moisture stays inside around the ham

9. Place in a 325 degree preheated oven for 90 minutes, after 90 minutes remove foil from ham (be careful not to get burned by the hot steam that will escape from pan) turn oven up to 425 degrees and allow ham to bake for an additional 15 minutes. (note: the internal tempuratur of the ham should be 140) This will allow glaze to caramelize and create extra flavor! Remove from oven and loosely cover with foil until ready to serve.

10. Remove baked ham to a large platter and use a sharp knife to slice or if serving a spiral cut ham pull slices apart so it is easier for guests. Place this holiday ham at the center of your Easter feast!

Reserve liquid from the bottom of the roasting pan, skim off as much fat as possible from the top and pour juices into a gravy boat and serve along side ham.

Tips & Substitutions

• If you would like to add more depth of flavor to this recipe you can brush the ham with maple syrup before encrusting it with the brown sugar and spices.
• Need a substitution for the mustard powder? You can add a tablespoon of prepared mustard to the brown sugar and cloves either yellow mustard or dijon mustard.
• You do not have to spend a lot of money on a ham. I usually wait until my grocery store has a sale and I make my purchase then, freeze it until its time for our big family gathering!
• Again, this recipe work with any ham; whole boneless, spiral ham, whole bone-in ham, country smoked ham. Just make sure to cook long enough depending on the size of your ham. The internal temperature should be 140 degrees for ham to be safe.
• Leftovers: I freeze any leftovers I have. Dice some up and freeze in one cup servings to add to stir-fry, omelettes, quiche or other recipes that call for diced ham. Leave some in slices for ham sandwiches. Depending on how much you have leftover you could slice some thicker slices for ham steak for future dinners or breakfast.  Freeze in airtight freezer safe zip-locs or containers.

Easter Menu options

• Best Brown Sugar Baked Easter Ham
• Aunt Marlas Easy One Pan Scallop Potatoes
• Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
• Sweet and Sour Green Beans with crispy bacon
• The Perfect Quiche
• Hot Cross Buns
• Deviled Eggs
• Coffee Cake

 Do you have a traditional meal that you prepare for Easter or Spring? 

The best thing about Easter Brunch is having plenty of side dishes!! There are so many great recipes out there I would love to hear what your favorite is.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO Sheila