Sweet Pumpkin Tamales

Packed with hearty flavors and pumpkin spice aromas, those tamales are for sure a delicious treat and dessert to serve for your family and friends.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 12 corn husks (read note 1)
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh pumpkin (rind removed, cut into chunks. Read note 2)
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 anise star
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
• 1/4 tsp whole cloves powder
• 1/2 tsp allspice

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes. Remove from water and pat dry thoroughly.
2. 2--- Make pumpkin puree ---
3. 3Place pumpkin chunks in a pot and cover with water.
4. 4Add cinnamon stick and anise star and boil until tender (about 15 minutes).
5. 5Drain the pumpkin and add to a blender or food processor.
6. 6Process until pureed and set aside.
7. 7--- Make the dough ---
8. 8In a mixing bowl add masa harina, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, butter, spices, and baking powder.
9. 9Mix at low speed for 3 minutes (read note 3).
10. 10Add the chopped pecans and using a spatula, mix to combine (read note 4).
11. 11--- Make tamales ---
12. 12Spread about ⅓ cup of pumpkin tamales dough onto the middle of a corn husk and spread it a bit.
13. 13Fold the husk closing both sides, then fold the pointy edge towards the center.
14. 14Place the tamal in the steamer standing with the open side up (read note 5). Repeat the steps until all dough is used.
15. 15--- Cook ---
16. 16Cover the pot, and steam the tamales for about 1 hour and half, checking occasionally and adding more water when is needed.