A Sweet Adventure: Baking Charlotte Cakes with Passion and Creativity

You know how some people go hiking or do yoga to unwind? Well, for Emy and me (Jana), baking is our happy place. There’s just something about mixing, decorating, and creating sweet treats that brings us so much joy. Plus, our team never minds being our taste testers! So when our boss, Karen, surprised us with an invitation to a Charlotte cake workshop, we were beyond excited.

Finally, on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the big day arrived! There were five of us in total, all buzzing with anticipation. We couldn’t help but wonder—was this going to feel like one of those intense baking competitions on TV? In a way, it kind of did—just without the stress of cameras zooming in on every little mistake!

Before we even got our hands messy, we had to answer two very important questions:

1. Why is it called a Charlotte cake? Apparently, it’s named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England. Who knew baking could be so historical?

2. What makes a Charlotte cake special? The signature look: a ring of delicate sponge fingers on the outside, filled with a luscious, creamy center.

And then, it was time to get baking! We had three hours to create our cakes, each in a different shape and flavor. The choices? Raspberry cream, passion fruit cream, yogurt cream, strawberry cream, and chocolate cream—basically, a dream lineup. Naturally, we had to sample each other’s fillings (for quality control, of course), and wow, every single one was incredible.

Somehow, we all managed to finish our cakes just in time, and let me tell you—we were so proud of our creations. The whole experience was fun and totally worth it.

A huge shoutout to Karen for this amazing gift—our team is already getting curious, so maybe a full team baking event is in the works? And, of course, an even bigger thank-you to pastry chef Beate Schulz, who made the whole workshop feel welcoming, inspiring, and just plain fun.

Moral of the story? If you ever get the chance to bake a Charlotte cake, do it—and make sure you have friends around to taste-test!

Want to try it yourself? Visit backschule-charlotte.de for more!

Attention HR Professionals: Your EU Blue Card Strategy with Competitive Salaries

Key Legal and Policy Changes for HR Professionals in 2025

As an HR professional, you play a crucial role in guiding potential employees through the application process for the EU Blue Card. This residence permit allows non-EU nationals to work in EU member states. Here’s how you can assist employees in successfully obtaining their EU Blue Card for 2025.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility for the EU Blue Card

Evaluate Income Requirements:

1. Shortage Occupations: Ensure that the employee’s role is classified as a shortage occupation. For 2025, these require a minimum gross monthly income of 3,646.65 EUR or 43,759.80 EUR annually. Common shortage occupations include:

   • Scientists

   • Mathematicians

   • Architects and planners

   • Designers

   • Engineers

   • ICT specialists

   • Medical professionals

2. Other Occupations: For roles not in shortage occupations or where the employee completed their education over three years ago, confirm they meet the income threshold of 4,025.00 EUR gross per month, totaling 48,300 EUR annually.

We recommend paying the employee more than the minimum income for the Blue Card, as the threshold usually increases every year.

If the employee has a salary at exactly the level of the Blue Card threshold for 2025, it is likely that they will no longer earn enough in 2026 to remain entitled to the Blue Card.

This is usually only noticeable when the employee wants to apply for a permanent residence permit, but will certainly cause frustration and dissatisfaction.

Step 2: Verify Employee Qualifications

Make sure that the employee has the following:

• A university degree recognized in Germany that matches the content of the position

• A job title that corresponds to the degree

• A valid employment contract or a binding job offer from your company.

Step 3: Prepare Application Documents

Assist the employee in gathering necessary documentation:

• Valid passport copies

• Official proof of academic qualifications

• Signed copy of the employment contract or job offer

• Documentation proving the salary meets the specified thresholds (Payslips)

• Health insurance confirmation

• Completed EU Blue Card application form

Step 4: Facilitate the Application Process

Coordinate with the employee to submit the application either to local immigration authorities or a German embassy/consulate if the application is from outside the EU. Ensure all documents and forms are completed accurately to avoid delays.

Step 5: Support During the Waiting Period

Inform the employee of the expected processing times and maintain contact with him/her to answer any additional questions from the immigration authorities.

Highlight the Benefits of the EU Blue Card

• Path to Permanent Residence: Employees can obtain permanent residency after 27 months, or 21 months if they have good German language skills.

• Family Reunification: The Blue Card facilitates the relocation of family members, who can work immediately upon arrival.

·         Qualified employment for at least 27 months and proof of paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme.

·         Proof of German language skills at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If knowledge of German at level B1 CEFR is proven, the time is reduced from 27 to 21 months.

·         Basic knowledge of legal and social regulations and living conditions in Germany. As a rule, this can be demonstrated by taking the “Living in Germany” test.

·         Proof of sufficient available living space.

·         Proof that you have sufficient means of subsistence.

By providing comprehensive support and guidance, you ensure a smoother experience for your employees applying for the EU Blue Card, thus enhancing their ability to contribute to your organization's success in the EU.

In case you as an HR do not have time for all this, please feel free to contact us for a non-binding offer. We see it as our aim to assist both HR and your International employees having a smooth transition to Germany so they can start immediately working for you.

Make it in Germany

Business before pleasure!

This Wednesday was all about learning, collaboration, and great food.

We started the day with an insightful data protection training because staying up to date on compliance is key.

During the session, we refreshed our knowledge on the latest data protection regulations, how to manage sensitive information securely, and best practices for ensuring compliance across our operations.

After that, we recharged with a delicious Indian lunch at our favorite spot around the corner.

Good food, good company — what more could you ask for?

Finally, we wrapped up with our monthly team meeting, where we shared updates, discussed new developments, and aligned on what’s ahead.

A perfect blend of focus, collaboration, and a little spice!