It's Friday, so we're bringing you a bonus cookie. On this fifth day of cookies, our guest blogger spikes traditional snowballs with caffeine and nutty flavor.

Snowballs, traditionally known as Russian tea cakes, are nutty, buttery cookies that make their appearance once the snow starts falling. I prefer the name “snowballs” because they so perfectly epitomize the weather I experience in the Upper Midwest. These Hazelnut Espresso Snowballs are a twist on the traditional Christmas cookie. It is a simple recipe — mainly hazelnuts, butter and flour — but it packs a lot of flavor (feel free to use roasted almonds or pecans instead). The addition of espresso powder complements the roasted nuts, making them perfect for serving with coffee.

Click here for the Hazelnut Espresso Snowballs recipe.

See more original cookies from some of our favorite food bloggers.

Kristin Rosenau is a baker and science teacher with a serious sweet tooth. She began an affair with butter and sugar fresh out of college, and her love for baking has only matured since. Rosenau (the voice behind the blog Pastry Affair) develops recipes for the home cook, combining classic dishes and homespun flavors with a dash of honesty.