To want, to yearn, to crave is only to be human, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the realm of food. The vast majority of people have felt undeniable cravings for a particular food at one time or another. Though some claim salty snacks are the most enticing (pretzels are all well and good), in my experience the majority of cravers are yearning for sweets (a.k.a. dip those pretzels in some chocolate). This week we target the latter.

In terms of cravings, my philosophy is one of quality over quantity, of savoring rather than simply consuming. Therefore, this selection of sweet treats of the Pikes Peak region focuses on making sweet indulgences into special occasions. These superior treats can not only put a craving to bed, but also sing a lullaby and read it a bedtime story.

Colorado Custard Company906 Manitou Ave., Suite 100685-5400, coloradocustard.com

Showing off his skills, the attendant at Colorado Custard Company held up a transparent cup with an actual slice of apple pie. Whole. After the addition of the establishment’s homemade custard and a few practiced spins with the mixer, I received the special of the day, an Apple Pie Avalanche ($3.91) with the pie blended into tasty bits. It’s perhaps the ideal, spoon-eaten version of apple pie a la mode for a hot summer afternoon, especially on the cute, tiny patio area.

Temperature in general is key for custard, which includes eggs, the custard company says. Because it packs at a higher temperature than traditional ice cream, the tongue is less frozen and therefore enjoys more flavor. Perhaps that’s why the company only needs its one flavor, because it’s great on its own or topped any which way, such as with hot fudge, hot caramel and pecans in the Turtle Sundae ($4.14).

Daylight Donuts3105 W. Colorado Ave., 632-24275883 Palmer Park Blvd., 637-9024daylightdonuts.com

Walking into Daylight Donuts on Colorado Avenue is a trip back in time. Its modern exterior gives way to a ’70s time warp of wood paneling, diner chairs and red plastic trays. You’re also walking into a yeast- and sugar-tinted mist of fresh pastry and into a homey, friendly franchise. Very homey. It’s early in the morning, so why shouldn’t bakers wear pajama pants?

It was certainly easier for me to wake up after one of Daylight’s Apple Turnovers ($1.35), which was as fluffy and warm as sleeping late in bed. The plain glazed donuts were airy (all donuts $3.75 a half dozen and $6.99 a dozen) and their cake varieties had a great, moist crumb. Rather than being fruit-filled, the blueberry donut’s fruit flavor suffused the batter and was a surprise pleaser.

Marigold Café and Bakery4605 Centennial Blvd.599-4776, marigoldcoloradosprings.com

I love Marigold’s contemporary dining room for sit-down meals, but I admit that most of my visits stop 10 feet from the entrance at the bakery case. Whether taking a whole cake or pie to a party or sharing one piece with a loved one on a special evening, Marigold’s sweets are sculpted purely out of butter, cream, sugar and indulgence.

Of course, Marigold’s award-winning Double Chocolate Mousse Cake is a local standard. This time of year, though, I found the Fraisier perfectly hit a more summery note. Their version of strawberry shortcake, two layers of white cake house layers of vanilla cream and sliced fruit, the two sliding and melding under the fork. Similarly, the sharpness of the Lime Tart filling was refreshing inside its shell of cookie-like, almond pastry crust.

All these sweets were $4.95 per portion.

Paris Crepe218 N Tejon St.444-0110, pariscrepeeurocafe.com

Modeled on the crepe vendors who inhabit the streets of Paris, this bright, modern café creates every one of its thin, delicate pancakes to order – and most of their offerings are gluten free. The savory crepes are worth sampling, of course, but the sweet fillings like Nutella take on a whole new life paired with bananas and cream ($4.95) within that thin wrapper.

Crepes can also be made in chocolate, which filled with coconut cream, almonds and dark chocolate sauce in the Caribbean ($5.95 CKD) is rolled-up decadence. Other dessert crepes are lighter (tasting), such as the Apricot, Pear, Toasted Almonds and Cinnamon Sugar ($5.95 CKD). The crunch of the slivered almonds was a great touch, and it filled me as much as most lunches. Hey, if it has fruit in it, it qualifies as lunch.

Pikes Peak Dessert Lounge481 Highway 105 #208, Monument313-9484, pikespeakdesserts.com

Most lounges are associated with cocktails, but Pikes Peak Dessert Lounge, which offers Drinking Chocolate ($3.29) though no alcohol, is no less indulgent or relaxing. The tiled interior has coffee-shop elegance, with black leather chairs and baskets of kids coloring books harmoniously coexisting.

Center stage, though, is the homemade gelato, which is served in the traditional, colorful fluted cups with tiny, bright shovels as spoons. Their so-called small size ($3.29) still contains two scoops, and you can pair a scoop each of Black Betty (brownie-batter dark chocolate) with orange sorbetto or whatever combination your heart desires. Ask for lots of tasters!

Also, pick up a half dozen of their truffles ($8.50), made by the Art of Chocolate. For me, the crunch of sea salt and the molted caramel filling of the Kona Salted Caramel was particularly tantalizing.

Rich Caribbean crepes at Paris Crepe, filled with coconut cream Photo by Kate Jonuska

Enjoyed on the patio, a Turtle Sundae from Colorado Custard Company Photo by Kate Jonuska

Peak Peak Dessert Lounge features truffles from the Art of Chocolate Photo by Kate Jonuska