Sweet Spiced Tamales

INGREDIENTS

• 32 dried corn husks
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups masa harina
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided
• 32 5-inch lengths of kitchen twine