Preheat oven to 375°. Pour melted butter into an 11×8 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Add 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, beating until combined. Stir in vanilla.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Whisk in milk until smooth. Pour batter into prepared dish. Spoon 4 cups of the strawberry halves over batter; spoon heaping teaspoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over top.
Cover with foil, and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes, removing foil after 25 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar; serve warm or chilled
Sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over the remaining 1 cup of fresh strawberries and top each serving with a spoonful of the berries.
