Has anyone else had this problem? I am getting tiny bubbles in my thinned royal icing that I use to flood my cookies. I use a toothpick to spread the icing and am wondering if that is causing them. Can anyone offer any help?

It's the mixing in of the water that causes the bubbles. Some people like to let their thinned icing sit for a few hours but I'm not that patient.

I mix my icing in a plastic bowl, then, holding onto one side, 'bounce' the bowl on the counter repeatedly. This causes the air bubbles to rise to the top. I run a spatula through the bubbles, then bounce again. It's pretty bubble-free after about 3 bouncing sessions.

Then, to make extra sure, I pipe my flooding icing through a tip 2. It takes a little longer, but any stray bubbles will pop as the icing is forced through such a small opening.

Yah what she ^^^said.
Try stirring the icing *much slower* when adding the water and do it in a figure 8. The use of a small wire whip is helpful to me.

Thank you so much! I will try your suggestions on my next batch tomorrow.