Every other Friday, Yossy Arefi from Apt. 2B Baking Co. shares dessert projects that demand a little extra time and effort. Because your weekends should always be sweet.

Today: Fruit is great. Fruit desserts are better.

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We're not saying we don't have fantasies about eating a perfectly ripe peach, plucked right from its tree and still warm from the sun. Or that cartons of blueberries don't bring us glee. But there's something to be said about the alchemy that happens when fruit meets sugar. Take apricots, for example: They're great on their own, but put them in a pie covered with crumble and suddenly, almost magically, they're juicier than you could've imagined.

Here are 12 desserts that prove fruit tastes better cooked with a little (or a lot of) sugar:

Apricot and Peach Crumb Pie

Cherry Almond Crumb Cake

Rye Shortcakes with Roasted Strawberries and Rhubarb

Late Summer Trifle

Pear Galettes with Spelt Crusts

Berry and Frangipane Tartlets

Brioche Stuffed with Apple and Pear

Blueberry and Rye Slab Pie

Meyer Lemon Eclairs

Fresh Apricot Compote with Vanilla Bean

Quine Tarte Tatin

Rhubarb and Gin Sorbet with Rose Cream

What's your favorite fruit dessert? Tell us in the comments below!

Photos by Yossy Arefi and James Ransom