1-First, core and chop 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) of soft, sweet apples into ¼-inch pieces no peeling required to keep things simple and retain nutrients.

2-Next, mix the sugars, cinnamon, salt, and cloves in a bowl, then pour this over the chopped apples in the slow cooker and stir everything together evenly.

3-Cook the mixture covered on low heat for 10 hours, allowing the apples to soften and the flavors to meld into a rich base.

4-After cooking, blend the mixture until it’s smooth using an immersion blender or a regular one in batches for safety.

5-Add the seeds and pulp from 1 vanilla bean or 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract, then continue cooking uncovered on low heat for another 2 hours. Stir occasionally to help it thicken to your desired consistency.

6-Once done, let it cool slightly before transferring to containers taste as you go to ensure it’s just right.