Spray the bottom of your crock with nonstick spray (make sure to coat it well)
With your mixer, beat together butter, sugar and vanilla
Add egg and salt and mix until combined
Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix until dough forms
Sprinkle a little extra flour over the dough and use your hands to form it into a ball
Use a little over half of the dough and press it down in the bottom of the crock. Use a little sprinkle of flour as needed to keep it from sticking to your hands
Sprinkle the bag of caramels evenly over the crust
Using the remaining dough, crumble it over the top of the caramel layer
Top it all off by sprinkling the sea salt over the top of it all
Cook covered on low for 2 - 3 hours
Notes
If you can't find caramel bits you could use regular caramel and just cut them into smaller chunks.