Why wont my tamales harden?!
Answers:
You have used too much lard. It will take longer to cook. Next time, use a little less lard, or use vegetable shortening instead.
Did you make this recipe up?
Most masa recipes call for at least 6 cups of masa meal. Tamales are not something that you don't make 4 or 5 of. You make usually 50-100 at a time.
It sounds like you have to much lard to that tiny cup of masa.It's runny because there is not enough of the cornmeal masa to firm up in the steamer.
Sorry, they will be messy but probably pretty good.
too little starch (masa)...