Step 1

Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Butter six 1-cup-capacity buttered muffin cups.

Step 2

Brush the tops of the puff pastry sheets with the 4 tablespoons butter. Cut the sheets into a total of 6 pieces.

Step 3

Press 1 piece puff pastry into each muffin cup. You want the pastry to just peep up out of the muffin cups. Trim and discard any excess pastry.

Step 4

Sprinkle the puff pastry with the granulated sugar.

Step 5

In a bowl, combine the apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice and toss to coat. Divide the mixture evenly among the puff pastry cups, nestling the apples among the pastry.

Step 6

Bake directly on the oven rack for 20 to 30 minutes, until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden and crisp.

Step 7

Serve the apple tarts warm with, if desired, a dribble of heavy cream or a dainty scoop of ice cream.