Setup: Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a clean area to place your candy-dipped pretzels.

Melting the Black Candy: Place the black candy melts into a microwave-safe bowl, adding a touch of shortening to achieve a smoother melt if desired. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until fully melted and smooth.

Creating the Handles: Dip about one-third of each pretzel rod into the melted black candy to form the lightsaber handles. Lay them on your parchment-lined sheet, and then chill in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes should do it.

Prepping Colored Candy: While your handles firm up, divide the white melted candy into several small bowls—one for each color you plan to use. Add food coloring to each bowl, stirring well to create vibrant hues for your lightsaber 'blades.'

Dipping the Blades: Remove the pretzels with set black handles from the refrigerator. Dip the uncoated end into your colored candy, allowing the colors to meet the black handles. To avoid smudging, you might wrap the black ends in a little wax paper.

Setting the Lightsabers: Once all pretzels are coated in their glorious colored candy, set them back on the parchment paper. Let them rest until the candy shell is firm, which should take about 15 minutes.

Drizzling the Handles: If the leftover black candy has thickened, reheat it slightly for a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the handles for added texture and detail.