Strawberry Shortcakes with Balsamic and Black Pepper Syrup

Ingredients

• 2.5 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
• 1 large pinch pepper black freshly ground
• 1 large eggs beaten to blend (for glaze)
• 1 cup cup heavy whipping cream chilled
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 8 cups strawberries fresh hulled sliced quartered
• 6 tablespoons sugar divided
• 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour 
• 0.5 cup butter unsalted chilled cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1 stick)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Equipment

• bowl
• baking paper
• oven
• hand mixer
• slotted spoon

Directions

1. Position rack in center of ovenand preheat to 425°F. Line baking sheetwith parchment paper.
2. Place flour, 4tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and saltin processor. Using on/off turns, process toblend.
3. Add butter; cut in using on/off turnsuntil butter resembles large peas, aboutfive 1-second intervals.
4. Add cream; usingon/off turns, process until moist clumpsform.
5. Transfer dough to lightly floured worksurface. Gather dough into ball; flatten into8 x 4-inch rectangle (about 1 1/4 inches thick).
6. Cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into4 equal strips, forming 8 square biscuits.
7. Transfer biscuits to prepared baking sheetand chill 20 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can bemade 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
8. Brush top of biscuits with egg glaze;sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
9. Bake until biscuits are golden brown andtester inserted horizontally comes out clean,about 15 minutes.
10. Transfer to rack and cool.DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead.
11. Letstand at room temperature.
12. Mix strawberries, 5tablespoons sugar, vinegar, and blackpepper in medium bowl.
13. Let macerate 30minutes, stirring occasionally.
14. Using electric mixer, beat cream,vanilla, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugarin another medium bowl until peaks form.
15. Cut biscuits horizontally in half.
16. Placebottom half of each biscuit, cut side up,on plate. Using slotted spoon, dividestrawberries among biscuits. Spoon dollopof whipped cream atop strawberries. Covereach with top half of biscuit.
17. Drizzle some ofjuices from strawberries around shortcakes.