Combine savory ground ham and pork with a touch of sweetness from graham cracker crumbs and pineapple juice for a delicious east ham loaf topped with a tangy-sweet glaze.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, beaten eggs, graham cracker crumbs, pineapple juice, dry mustard, and brown sugar. Mix all ingredients well until everything is combined - using your hands is the best tool.
Shape the Loaves
Divide the mixture in half and shape it into two evenly sized loaves. Place the loaves side by side in a 9x13-inch casserole dish, leaving a bit of space between them to allow the glaze to pool.
Prepare the Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, brown sugar, and dry mustard until smooth. The sugar should dissolve completely, creating a sweet, tangy liquid to glaze your ham loaves.
Pour Glaze and Bake
Pour the glaze evenly over the two loaves, ensuring it covers the tops and drips down the sides. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 1 1/2 hours. To achieve that signature sticky-sweet finish, baste the loaves every 20 minutes with the glaze pooling at the bottom of the dish. This helps keep the loaves moist while baking.
Check the Doneness
After 90 minutes, your ham loaves should be golden brown and cooked through. A meat thermometer can be used to check internal temperature, it should read 160 degrees.
Rest and Serve
Once the loaves are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for about 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice and serve warm, using the extra glaze in the bottom of the pan to drizzle on top as served.