Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Pour in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the shortcakes with a little extra heavy cream and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let them cool slightly.
Meanwhile, prepare the strawberry filling. In a bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes until they release their juice.
For the whipped cream, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
To assemble the shortcakes, slice each one in half horizontally. Spoon a generous amount of strawberry mixture onto the bottom half, add a dollop of whipped cream, and place the top half of the shortcake on top.
Serve immediately, or chill until ready to enjoy.