Combine the strawberries with 4 tablespoons of the sugar, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla in a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet. Stir to coat, then let sit until the strawberries have started to release their juices, about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400F.

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until smooth. Beat in the cream, 1 tablespoon at a time. Drop the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry mixture by tablespoons. Use a spoon or spatula to try to spread the cream cheese mixture into a thin layer over the top of the strawberries.

In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 3 teaspoons of the sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or a fork until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add in the buttermilk and stir just until moistened - do not overmix. Add more buttermilk if the mixture is too dry.

Drop rounded tablespoons of the topping over the strawberries and cream mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar over the top.

Bake until the fruit is tender and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or cold.