Authentic Southern Sweet Potato Pie vs Koulourakia: Traditional Greek Butter Cookies

Both desserts lean on sugar, milk, butter and eggs, but put them to very different work. In the sweet potato pie, melted butter, milk and eggs are whisked into mashed sweet potato with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, and baked in a crust until the smooth, custard-like filling sets. Koulourakia begin by creaming softened butter with sugar for an airy base, while flour, baking powder and a little milk form a pliable dough twisted into shapes. An egg-yolk wash gives the cookies a golden finish, and they bake until firm, with orange zest as an optional aromatic touch.