This is an easy treat to whip up when you're planning an event - and they're fun too! I love to incorporate the element of surprise in sweets, and these popping lollies will certainly garner some smiles. I bought some unflavored carbonated sugar for this project, but you can also use Pop Rocks candy, which is easily found at most US grocery stores.
Have the ungreased lollipop molds prepped with lollipop sticks and place them close to your work station to receive the melted chocolate. Place a disposable piping bag in a tall glass or plastic tumbler and fold the top of the bag back so that the glass holds the bag open.
Place the chocolate and shortening in a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave at 100% power at 30 second intervals until the mixture can be stirred smooth (about 1 minute). Stir in the carbonated sugar (expect some popping with this addition). Transfer the chocolate to the piping bag. Snip the end of the bag with scissors and pipe the chocolate into the lollipop cavities.
Place the lollipops in the freezer until set. Pop them out and decorate as desired. If using velvet spray, spray the lollipops directly after removing them from the freezer. If using luster dust, allow the pops to come to room temperature before decorating.
Allow the pops to come to room temperature before wrapping them.