Fruit

• Crush 3 cups strawberries in a large bowl with potato masher.  Slice remaining 5 cups of berries.  Stir sliced berries and sugar into crushed berries.  Set aside until the sugar has dissolved and berries are juicy, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Biscuits

• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and hear oven to 425 degrees.  LIne baking sheet with parchment paper.  
• Pulse flour, 3 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest (if using) in food processor until combined. Scatter butter pieces over the top and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse corn meal, about 15 pulses. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
• Whisk half-and-half (or milk) and whole egg together in a bowl, then stir into flour mixture until large clumps form. Turn out onto lightly floured counter and knead lightly until the dough comes together (do not overwork dough).
• Pat dough into 9 by 6-inch rectangle, about 3/4 inch thick. Using floured 2 3/4-inch biscuit cutter, cut out 6 dough rounds. Arrange biscuits on prepared baking sheet, spaced about 1 1/2 inches apart. Brush tops tih the egg white and sprinkle evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. (Unbaked biscuits can be refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 2 hours)
• Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 12-14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking.  Transfer baking sheet to wire rack and let biscuits cool for 10 minutes.  (Cooled biscuits can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 day.  Before assembling, reheat in 350-degree oven for 3-5 minutes.)

Whipped Cream

• Using standard mixer fitted with whisk, whip cream, sugar and vanilla on medium low speed until foamy, about 1 minute.  Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes.

Assembly

• Split each biscuit in half and place bottoms on individual plates.  Spoon portion of berries over each bottom, dollop with whipped cream and cap with  biscuit tops.  Can add additional layer of berries and whipped cream, if desired.  Serve immediately.

• Mix all ingredients in a mug and microwave on high for 40 seconds.  This makes a gooey brownie,microwave a little longer for a set brownie.  Enjoy!