‘Christmas Appetizer Favorite’: Just 4 ingredients. I make this nonstop during Christmas season.

Stir and reduce glaze (if needed): About halfway through the cooking time, give the ham a gentle stir to redistribute the glaze. If, at the end of cooking, you’d like a thicker, stickier sauce, remove the slow cooker lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 15–20 minutes, stirring once or twice, to let some of the liquid evaporate.

Serve: Transfer the ham bites and their sauce to a serving bowl or small chafing dish. Serve warm with toothpicks as an appetizer, or spoon over your chosen sides if serving as a main dish.

You can take these ham bites in several directions while still keeping the ingredient list short. For a smokier, barbecue-leaning version, swap half of the pineapple juice for your favorite barbecue sauce and add a pinch of smoked paprika if you have it on hand. If you prefer more tang and less sweetness, replace a few tablespoons of the juice with apple cider vinegar and bump up the mustard for a sharper glaze. For a bit of heat, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes or a spoonful of hot sauce with the brown sugar mixture. You can also use spiral-sliced ham instead of cubed; just cut the slices into strips or chunks and proceed as directed, keeping an eye on cook time since thinner pieces may need slightly less time. If your slow cooker tends to run hot, check the ham earlier to avoid drying it out, and remember that you can always hold it on the WARM setting for an hour or so before serving. Finally, if the glaze ever feels too sweet, a quick squeeze of lemon juice or a teaspoon of soy sauce stirred in at the end will bring it back into balance.