Slice and core apples (no need to peel). Place all apple slices into crockpot.
Add water, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and vanilla extract. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, stirring every few hours if possible.
Once done, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend. This is your applesauce if you want to leave it at that.
If not, you can continue to make apple butter: Keep in slow cooker for another hour or two with the lid slightly off to release steam.
Continue to cook on low to reduce the apple butter by about half, or until darker in color.
You can also transfer to a large pot and reduce apple butter on the stovetop instead. Enjoy!
