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Slow Cooker Amish Christmas Ham

This slow cooker Amish Christmas ham is a festive, effortless centerpiece for your holiday table. The sweet and tangy glaze, made with brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice, infuses the ham with rich flavor while the slow cooker does all the work.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ham
  • 1 fully cooked boneless ham (4-5 pounds)
Glaze
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or apple cider for variation)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional, traditional)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons butter cubed; add during final hour
Garnish
  • Whole pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Medium bowl

Method
 

  1. Place the fully cooked boneless ham (4-5 pounds) flat side down in the slow cooker. If needed, trim or slice the ham slightly to ensure it fits properly.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or apple cider), 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  3. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, making sure it seeps between any slices if using a spiral-cut ham.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, basting occasionally with the glaze to deepen the flavor.
  5. During the final hour of cooking, add 2 tablespoons cubed butter to the glaze at the bottom of the slow cooker to enrich the sauce.
  6. For an extra festive presentation, arrange whole pineapple rings and maraschino cherries on top of the ham just before serving.

Notes

This recipe is perfect for busy holiday days when you want a show-stopping centerpiece without spending all day in the kitchen. The flexible glaze allows you to substitute pineapple juice with apple cider or even experiment with a smoky twist using a dash of liquid smoke. Prepare a head start by mixing the glaze ingredients ahead of time and storing them in the fridge. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold or reheated, paired with classic sides like mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts.