Chocolate Tamales - Rick Bayless

Ingredients

• 1 8-ounce package dried corn husks
• About 9 ounces Mexican chocolate (1 1/2 cups pulverized)
• 10 ounces (1 1/3 cups) unsalted butter, rich-tasting pork lard or vegetable shortening (or use a combination), slightly softened but not at all runny
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 pounds (about 4 cups) fresh coarse-ground corn masa for tamales OR 3 1/2 cups dried masa harina for tamales mixed with 2 1/4 cups hot water
• About 1 cup milk or water
• 2/3 cup raisins or coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate (optional)
• Assorted fresh berries, custard sauce, mint sprigs