Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Squares
Soon my husband will be home with our angel & me for good.
A few more weeks and he’ll be here. Just thinking about that fills me with joy, laughter, and relief.
It’s been a long year apart. It’s been a hard year apart.
There were months without phone calls, weeks of no emails and many sleepless nights in between.There was my darling A. who kept me present and smiling each and everyday.Because of him, this year has not only been about being separated from Mr. Smith.
It’s been about being a mama. It has been dedicated to our beautiful baby.
I salute all military spouses. You are brave, courageous, enduring souls.
This morning little A. and I went on a stroll to the park while the air was still cool. I picked some wild grass and buttercups – which reminded me of being a girl in the school yard, picking dandelionsto give to my grade school teacher. These ones were for us… just because.
I told my darling stories of his daddy and about his coming home.
His eyes grew big and he laughed, saying ‘dada’. He knows too.
How beautiful the human spirit is.
We made blueberry lemon squares today.
They are for a very special occasion. Next week, we’re hosting an intimate
luncheon to celebrate my longtime friend’s engagement.
EX-CI-TING!!
Dear Readers, I’m so happy for this lovely lady, because she is such a
marvelous person and deserves all the best in life.
I really wanted to make these treats early, to make sure I had the recipe down pat.
And now I’m pretty convinced that it is!
We only taste tested one-ish, because the rest are for the celebration, of course…
but let me tell you, it was hard to put these lovelies into the freezer until the day of.
Wooh, was it ever.
Even though life brings its hardships, the happy times far outshine them.
There is so much happiness that is ours to have.
Like enjoying a glass of fresh lime juice or lemon limeade.
Like eating bowls of delicious blueberries from British Columbia and reading blogs from the heart. Like picking wild flowers and singing french songs with your little one. Like rejoicing in the news of others and sharing yours too!
I can’t wait to lift my glass in honor of my dear friend and her happiness.
What is making you happy these days?
Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Squares
Makes 16 squares
Dough/Crumble
1 1/2 cups rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
3/4 cup organic sugar
3/4 softened butter
1 Tbsp of lemon zest
In a large bowl, mix together flour, oats, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest. Cut in butter and egg.
Mix until dough is crumbly and all flour is well blended. Use about half of the dough to form the bottom crust of the squares.
Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) pan with parchment paper. Pat the dough down to form the crust.
Bake at 350F for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Filling
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (300ml – 14oz)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup of lemon juice
zest of one lemon
1 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries
In a medium bowl, mix condensed milk, egg yolks, and lemon juice well.
Add in the lemon zest and blueberries. Stir gently.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Spread evenly.
With the left over dough, crumble over the blueberry-lemon filling.
Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Refrigerate for an hour before cutting. I recommend, refrigerating, then putting
the squares in the freezer for 10 minutes, then cutting into squares. It makes it so much easier! Enjoy!
Emily Smith, Editor of The Best of This Life, has been crafting lifestyle content and delicious recipes for over a decade. Featured on platforms like BRIT + CO, Today's Parent, and Chatelaine, she writes about family, food, home, and wellness, inspiring readers to live well and savour life's beauty. Based in Ottawa, she shares her adventures with her husband, two beautiful kids, and their mischievous cat, Zoro.
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These lemon blueberry squares are like an ode to summer!
Emily this looks DELICIOUS! I love blueberry and lemon combos. Glad your long wait is almost over 😉
Tiffany, thank you! How poetic 🙂
Thanks Gaby!! I’m so happy it is too!! I hope you’ll try these, if you like lemon and blueberries, you’ll love ’em.
Kate, thanks for coming by – love the recipe you posted!
These tasty squares are definitely just that, sunshine and goodness 🙂
Here’s to happy couples!
oh Emily, stunning portrait of blueberry love! go go gluten-free gadget master : )
you certainly are a brave soul, enduring all that separation and strain. i send you cheers for the safe arrival of your hubs back into both yours and little A’s arms.
i just know your special friend will adore this dish and girl….what an honor to be included in this post. i read down and about lost it when the link highlighted. you’re WOW! thank you. girls like you make me happy: authentic, caring and sweeter than any candy confection in all the world. xoox ♥
This is just a perfect plate of sunshine! I love the recipe and what a wonderful way to celebrate a beautiful and joyous occasion. Best wishes to the lovely couple.
my mouth is watering….Love the blueberried in it…ove all your pictures,…thankyou so much for the recipe…
What makes me happy is that soon, so very soon I will be back home with you and our A., thank you for being so brave. Ours is the best of possible worlds and I am humbled to be yours. I salute you my Sugar. I am so very much in love with you. Just a few silly days until no more days apart. Love you.
These looks heavenly!!!! I love the pictures, they are so full of life….. Lovely recipe, lemon and blueberries goes really well together. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, these look fabulous!! Lovely photos as well!
Congratulations to the happy couples! All my best to your friend.
I have no doubt that she’s going to love these blueberries bars!
I have an idea; why don’t you come over to my place and make me some of your goodies?!
xx Marie
Thank you everyone!!! What a time to celebrate!
Dear Lynn, you’re my newest friend! Thanks for all the love! 🙂
Aarthi, I hope you’ll try it out – if you like blueberries, you’ll be happy with this recipe for sure.
Honey, you’re the sweetest 🙂
I can’t believe you found time to read and post in the midst of a hurricane evacuation in Virginia. I love you!! xx
Reem, thank you so much – that’s such a sweet compliment, truly.
Thank you Stephanie! I love photography & styling food is a newly discovered passion 🙂
Bonnie, thanks for coming by!
I’ll pass on your best wishes!
Aw, Marie – what an excellent idea, I would do so gladly and we could pour over all of your wonderful photography!
Happy Friday Dear Friends!!
xo
So so so excited to try these out!!! xoxoxoxox!!!
Congratulations to your friend. I want one of these squares so badly…stunning photos dear.
Emily,
I am just amazed by your food photography. Its incredible and each dish looks like you could eat it off the screen.
It just gave me chills reading that your husband comes home for good in just a few short weeks. I can’t imagine the excitement that must be going on over there! My sister married a military officer and I watched her go through a long deployment so bravely. I am amazed by army wives!
Have a great weekend!
Anna
love that this is gluten-free, you really can’t tell from how delicious it looks!
Great recipe! These look absolutely delicious!
xo
Noemie, I think you’ll like them! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow 🙂
Fiona, thanks for coming by, I’ll pass along your best wishes!
Anna – thank you!!
I really enjoy the creative process. YES! I’m crazy excited!!! The countdown is on! 🙂 Your sister and all army spouses truly are amazing.
Haha, Shu Han – that’s a wonderful compliment! I hope you’ll follow The Best of this Life as I try to make as many delicious (looking and tasting) gluten-free recipes as I can come up with!! Thanks for coming by!
Fashion Meets Food, thank you 🙂
xo Emily
You have a lot of wonderful things to celebrate! The homecoming of your husband and the engagement of your friend.Congrats to Noemie!
The lemon squares look amazing, thanks for sharing.
Tina, thank you for visiting!
Yes! It is indeed a time to celebrate 🙂 I will pass along your wishes for the happy bride-to-be! xo
Your photos are beautiful and the squares sound delicious
Those photos look amazing, just beautiful. I’ve got material envy heheh.
Thank you Kat & Miss Iona! I love food styling and really enjoy the process – your compliments are encouraging, to say the least! 🙂
xo Emily
These look great for a Sunday tea time treat! lovely pictures.