If you have a sweet spot for Hubig’s Pies and also love king cake, a special combination of the two distinctly New Orleans obsessions could be in your future.
For the first time, Hubig’s Pies has a line of king cakes for Carnival season 2025, prepared in four flavors and two sizes. A limited supply will begin hitting stores Tuesday, Dec. 31, as a bit of a preseason preview.
The traditional oval king cake from Hubig’s Pies, new for Carnival season 2025. (Contributed photo)
No, these Hubig’s king cakes are not fried, like the locally famous hand pies. The cakes are traditional baked rings of brioche. They are inspired by Hubig’s pie flavors, however, and in particular a line of round baked pies that the company once produced.
What Hubig’s king cake cakes are like
Hubig’s round pies have been out of production since Hurricane Katrina, but two of the varieties the company once made are represented in its new king cakes: custard and Dutch apple.
A slice of the Dutch apple king cake from Hubig’s Pies, new for Carnival season 2025. (Contributed photo)
The custard is a throwback to an old Hubig’s recipe, which is applied on top and piped within the king cake. The Dutch apple cakes are topped with a crumbly streusel made from Louisiana brown sugar, also a nod to the brand’s round pies of the past.
A slice of the custard king cake from Hubig’s Pies, new for Carnival season 2025. (Contributed photo)
In addition, there’s a traditional cinnamon king cake and a cream cheese filled version.
All of the cakes are iced while warm, like the hand pies, to give a firm exterior texture.
To make the king cakes, Hubig’s collaborated with Ziggy Cichowski, the European-trained baker and co-founder of the former Maple Street Patisserie.
Master baker Ziggy Cichowski, co-owner of Maple Street Patisserie, in 2014. (File photo by Julia Kumari Drapkin, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
“His classic approach is a perfect fit for traditionally focused Hubig’s,” said Hubig’s owner Drew Ramsey.
Where to get them
For full distribution, starting Jan. 6, New Orleans-area stores that will carry Hubig’s king cakes include:
- Acquistapace’s Market (all locations)
- Breaux Mart (all locations)
- Canseco’s Market (all locations)
- Cash Saver Slidell
- Dorignac’s Food Center
- Langenstein’s (all locations)
- Lishman’s City Market (Lacombe)
- Majoria Drugs
- NOLA Discount Pharmacy
- Norco Fresh Market
- Piggly Wiggly in Madisonville
- Robért Fresh Market (all locations)
For the limited distribution beginning Dec. 31, stores stocking Hubig’s king cakes include:
- Canseco’s Market (all locations)
- Cash Saver Slidell
- Langenstein’s (all locations)
- Lishman’s City Market (Lacombe)
- Majoria Drugs
- NOLA Discount Pharmacy
- Norco Fresh Market
- Piggly Wiggly in Madisonville
- River Road Market (St.Rose)
- Rivers Market (Metairie)
The cakes are made in two sizes: a 10-by-10-inch round ring is sold through stores, while a 10-by-14-inch oval is sold by Hubig’s from its web site for shipping nationwide, which will start taking orders soon and begin shipping on Jan. 6.
Hubig’s intends to hold pop-ups in the New Orleans area as well, where it will sell its larger cakes direct. Plans for those pop-ups are still in the works.
Pre-Carnival release
The traditional king cake from Hubig’s Pies, new for Carnival season 2025. (Contributed photo)
The traditional king cake from Hubig’s Pies, new for Carnival season 2025. (Contributed photo)
Tuesday’s limited release of king cakes came at the request of some stores, which wanted to have them on hand for New Year’s Eve celebrations, said Kathleen Ramsey, Hubig’s marketing director.
But Hubig’s is holding back on full release until Jan. 6, which is King’s Day and the official start of Carnival season. Plenty of bakeries produce king cakes outside of Carnival season, and plenty of king cake lovers devour them any time of year. But tradition holds that king cakes should really should only be eaten from the start of Carnival until Ash Wednesday draws a curtain on the season.
“We like the tradition of waiting until the season begins,” Kathleen Ramsey said.
Lemon and chocolate Hubig’s Pies, cut open to show their fillings, make a decadent coffee break snack. Chocolate rejoined the lineup for flavors as the beloved New Orleans hand pie continues its gradual return to the full spectrum of flavors. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Hubig’s entry into the king cake realm comes two years after the brand was brought back to life. While the company was founded in 1921, a fire in 2012 destroyed its facility in the Marigny and put the future of the local pie maker in jeopardy, spurring longings as the Hubig’s hiatus dragged on year after year.
A decade later, the next generation of family owners brought the brand back with a new production facility off Jefferson Highway. It’s been slowly bringing back its staple flavors and seasonal varieties, and working up a niche for national shipping.
As for Hubig’s round pies, Ramsey there’s no immediate plan to bring them back but would not rule out a possible return in the future as the company’s collaboration with Cichowski continues.
