Baked Ham
with Sweet & Sour Pineapple Sauce
By Kids
Cooking Activities
A
simple baked ham dinner made extra kid-friendly with
a quick sweet-and-sour pineapple sauce. Kids can
help whisk the sauce and spoon it over slices for a
shiny, flavorful glaze—perfect for holidays, family
dinners, or a “special” Sunday meal.
- Category:
Main Dish
- Method:
Baking
- Skill Level:
Beginner
- Kid Job:
Whisk & pour sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes (sauce) +
ham bake time
Total Time: about 20 minutes plus
ham baking
Yield: Sauce
for about 8 servings
Ingredients
Baked Ham
- Baked ham (fully
cooked sliced)
Sweet & Sour Baked Ham Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple
tidbits (drain and save juice)
- 2 tablespoons brown
sugar
- 1 tablespoon
cornstarch
- Dash of salt
- 3 teaspoons vinegar
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 3/4 cup water
- Reserved pineapple
juice (from drained tidbits)
Instructions
1) Bake the Ham
- Prepare and bake your ham using your preferred
method (package directions work great). Slice to
serve.
- Warm slices as needed, then spoon sauce over
the top just before serving.
2) Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Drain pineapple tidbits and save the
juice.
- In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice,
brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, mustard,
water, and a dash of salt until smooth.
- Pour mixture into a skillet over medium heat.
Cook and stir until the sauce thickens (about
5–8 minutes).
- Spoon warm sauce over baked ham slices.
(Optional: add a small spoonful of the tidbits
on top for extra pineapple flavor.)
Kid-Friendly Ideas
- Kid job: measure and whisk
the sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Let kids watch for the “magic moment” when the
sauce turns glossy and thick (adult stirs at the
hot stove for younger kids).
- Make it a “taste test”: try a tiny spoonful
and decide if you want it sweeter (more brown
sugar) or tangier (a splash more vinegar).
Notes
Sauce thickens as it cools. If
it gets too thick, whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of
water to loosen. Store leftover sauce covered in
the refrigerator for up to 3 days and rewarm
gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Easy Variations
- Less tangy: reduce vinegar to
2 teaspoons.
- More “holiday” flavor: add a
pinch of ground ginger or cinnamon to the sauce.
- Kid-style glaze: brush a thin
layer of sauce over warm ham slices and serve
with pineapple tidbits on the side.