01 -
Place the peeled, cored, and sliced apples in a slow cooker.
02 -
Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to the apples. Stir well to coat the apples evenly with the spices and sugars.
03 -
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the apples are very soft and have broken down. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even cooking.
04 -
Once the apples are soft and caramelized, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and blend in batches.
05 -
Stir in the vanilla extract and caramel sauce until fully incorporated.
06 -
If the apple butter is too thin, continue cooking uncovered on low for another hour or until it reaches your desired consistency.
07 -
Once the apple butter is thick and smooth, stir in the sea salt. Let it cool, then transfer to jars or airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or can be processed in a water bath for longer storage.