glazed ham...

1 5-6 lb ham (fully cooked)

whole cloves

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tsp cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp dry mustard

Score ham by making diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern. Stud with cloves. Place in a shallow roasting pan. Bake at 325 degrees until 125 degrees (about 1 1/2-2 hours)

In a medium saucepan combine pineapple juice, sugar, cornstarch & dry mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir two minutes more.

Brush ham with the glaze. Bake 20-30 min more or until thermometer registers 135 degrees. Let stand 15-20 min before slicing.

This was the recipe I used last Easter and I really loved it. I'm not the biggest fan of ham and I thought this was delicious. There is something about pineapple with it that just takes it over the top. And...this is soooooo much better tasting than the glaze packets that come with the ham. We were obviously too consumed with dinner last year to take any pictures of the finished product, but it looked good (as far as I can remember!!) I have not forgotten how fabulous it tasted, though!

butter cream easter eggs...

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 lb. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 lbs. powdered sugar
12 oz. dark chocolate melts, dark chocolate coating or semi-sweet chocolate chips

chopped nuts, if desired

Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until well blended. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. Using the palms of your hands, roll the mixture, a small amount at a time, into small egg shapes. Refrigerate again for at least 1 hour. Melt the chocolate in a microwave oven or in a double boiler. Using a large toothpick, or spoon dip each cream egg in melted chocolate to coat, then lay on a waxed paper lined tray and allow the chocolate to harden. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve or give away.

I wanted to post these earlier in the week, but time just got away from me...these really are easy to make and soooo worth it! The filling tastes like a thick butter cream frosting...YUM! You could certainly decorate these with names, dots, flowers, etc. out of icing or extra melted chocolate.

Happy Easter!