1-First Step: Gather and measure everything Start by measuring out 1 cup finely chopped pineapple, 1 cup pineapple juice, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon cloves, and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. If your pineapple is canned or frozen, drain it if needed so the glaze does not get too watery at first. Set a small saucepan or pot on the stove before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smooth, especially if you are also cooking a ham, side dishes, or desserts at the same time.

2-Second Step: Combine the glaze ingredients Add the pineapple, pineapple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves to the pot. Stir well so the sugar starts dissolving and the spices are evenly mixed through the fruit and juice. At this point, the mixture will look thin, and that is exactly what you want. As the heat works its magic, the liquid will reduce and the flavors will blend into a rich, sweet glaze for ham.

3-Third Step: Bring it to a boil Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep an eye on it, because fruit glazes can foam and bubble up fast. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. This lower heat is important because it lets the glaze thicken without burning the sugar or making the saucepan overflow. A gentle simmer is the sweet spot for this pineapple brown sugar ham glaze.

4-Fourth Step: Simmer until syrupy Cook the glaze for about 10 minutes over low heat. Stir it now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom. As it cooks, the mixture will go from watery to thicker and more syrup-like. You are looking for a texture that lightly coats a spoon. If you want a little more body, let it go a minute or two longer, but keep stirring and watch closely. This is where the flavor deepens and the glaze starts to look ready for brushing.

5-Fifth Step: Stir in the butter Once the glaze has thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Add the butter at the end so it melts into the glaze and gives it a smoother finish. This last step also helps the glaze look shiny when brushed over the ham. I like using cold butter here because it blends in well and gives the glaze a better texture and appearance.

6-Final Step: Use right away or store for later Your pineapple ham glaze is ready to use immediately. Brush it over a scored ham, or let it cool and store it in the refrigerator if you are making it ahead. A crosshatch pattern on the ham helps the glaze seep into the surface and gives every slice more flavor. If you are serving the glaze with a baked ham, use part of it before baking and save some for the final caramelized layer.