An apparatus and method for decorating a cake. A print head is provided that moves in a planar or linear domain and that dispenses edible colorant at positions corresponding to the pixels of a digital image. The cake is positioned parallel to the domain and displaced vertically from the domain by an appropriate displacement. The proper positioning of the cake is facilitated by a sensing mechanism for sensing the attitude of the cake with respect to the domain and a leveling mechanism, responsive to the sensing mechanism, for adjusting that attitude. A preferred sensing mechanism includes laser sources aimed at photodiode detectors: when the cake is properly positioned, the beams of light from the lasers are partially blocked. A preferred leveling mechanism includes adjustable legs supporting the table whereon the cake is placed under the print head.