Place the dried cornhusks in a pan or dish and cover with hot water, allowing husks to soak until soft (thin, pliable husks require less soaking time than tough, brittle ones). Softening cornhusks can take up to 30 minutes.
Tamale Step 2: Make the masa (dough)

With an electric mixer, beat the lard or shortening until light and fluffy. Beat in the dry ingredients and liquid as directed in the recipe. The finished dough should resemble a thick, creamy paste that is easy to work with.
Tamale Step 3: Fill the tamales

For each tamale, fold the long end of the husk so it slightly overlaps the dough. Next, roll the husk around the dough and filling.
Tamale Step 5: Tie the cornhusks

Tie the ends of each husk with strips of soaked cornhusk or 100-percent-cotton string. Tying the ends keeps the condensed steam away from the masa (dough) when steaming and keeps the bundles intact. It also gives them the quintessential bundle shape that is so charming.

Tamales are cooked in a steamer. You can purchase a steamer with a basket or rack inside. Or create your own steamer by using a Dutch oven fitted with a vegetable steamer basket or a metal rack inside.

Arrange the tamales in a single layer or stand them upright in the steamer basket, filling the space but not packing them tightly.
Tamale Step 7: Steam tamales

Pour at least 1-1/2 inches water in the bottom of the steamer or Dutch oven. Place the filled steamer basket over the water. Bring the water to boiling. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Steam the tamales until the dough pulls away from the cornhusks and is spongy and cooked through.